Decision on Telangana irrevocable, PM tells APNGOs

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Tuesday made it clear that the decision to divide Andhra Pradesh to carve out Telangana was final and irrevocable.

The Prime Minister reportedly made these remarks when a delegation of Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers' Association, accompanied with union minister K Sambasiva Rao, called on him seeking his intervention to prevent bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. However, Dr Manmohan Singh reportedly told the delegation that the decision on formation of Telangana has already been taken and could not be changed.

Dr Manmohan Singh, however, assured that Telangana would be carved out based on the findings of AK Antony Committee and another expert committee, if required to ensure that the concerns of all stakeholders are taken into consideration. He also appealed to the striking NGOs to call off the strike as it was hitting the common man. He also appealed for peace and normalcy in both Telangana and Seemandhra regions.

The APNGOs delegation briefed the Prime Minister on the implications of bifurcation of State and requested him to maintain the status quo.