Rajya Sabha passes Telangana Bill
New Delhi: Parliament Thursday gave its approval to carve out Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh as India's 29th state, with the Rajya Sabha passing the Telangana Bill by voice vote amid bedlam.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his speech announced special package to the Seemandhra region. Singh said the announcement will demonstrate government's steadfast commitment to creation of Telangana and to continued prosperity for Seemandhra.
Earlier, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde tabled the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill amidst protests.
Some members opposed to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh walked towards Shinde in an effort to interrupt him but were stopped by MPs from the Congress and those favouring a separate Telangana state.
Members from the Trinamool Congress, the Janata Dal-United and the Shiv Sena described the tabling of the bill as unconstitutional.
The bill was passed by voice vote in Lok Sabha on Tuesday amid bedlam but could not be taken up in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday due to repeated interruptions.
The bill was taken up in the upper house after an agreement was reached between the ruling and opposition parties, say Congress and BJP sources.
The agreement was reached after hectic discussions and a series of meetings since Wednesday.
Participating in the debate, BJP leaders M Venkaiah Naidu and Prakash Javdekar mooted amendments seeking a financial package for Seemandhra.
They said while the BJP was for separate Telangana state, it also wanted justice done to Seemandhra.
Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi suggested that Hyderabad be made a union territory at least for 10 years.
He said the people of Seemandhra contributed to the development of Hyderabad in all sectors during last six decades.
Chiranjeevi, while expressing his pain and anguish over the bifurcation of the state, blamed all political parties.
"It's not fair to blame the Congress alone. It was the last party to take a decision to divide the state," he said.
BSP leader Mayawati, while supporting the bill, demanded that financial package be announced both for Seemandhra and Telangana.
The speeches of Mayawati and other members were interrupted by members of Trinamool Congress who raised slogans of 'Congress, BJP bhai bhai'.
CPM leader Sitaram Yechuri opposed the bill while the CPI extended support. The DMK staged a walkout to protest the bifurcation.
News Posted: 20 February, 2014
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