Telangana formation process has begun: Shinde

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Thursday said that the separate state of Telangana may be a reality in less than six months.

Addressing a press conference here, Shinde said that the resolution passed by the Congress Working Committee has been sent to the Union Home Ministry and the procedure as prescribed by the Constitution would be followed for the formation of Telangana. Explaining the entire procedure, he said that usually it takes eight to nine months for the procedure to complete. However, he said that the government would hasten the procedure to complete the formalities in five to six months and it could be completed in much lesser time.

Shinde said that the Telangana Bill might not be introduced in ensuing session of Parliament beginning on August 5. However, he said that it would be presented in the next session.

The Home Minister admitted that there was spurt in demands for smaller States from across the country including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, North East, West Bengal and other places. However, he said that the demand for Telangana was pending since 1956 and therefore, it was resolved first. He said that the Centre would consider other demands if they are workable. However, he appealed to the people demanding smaller States not to resort to violence to express themselves.

When asked, Shinde did not specify whether Hyderabad would be made a common capital of two States for 10 years or would be made a Union Territory for that period. He said the Home Ministry was working on it.

Reacting to the reports of en masse resignation by Seemandhra leaders, Shinde said that the reversing Telangana decision was now not in Congress party's hands. He said that the CWC has already sent the resolution to the government and it would now be the Central Government which would take all future decisions.