Telangana Bill will come soon: Shinde

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Monday said that the Telangana Bill will be introduced soon.

Addressing a press conference here, Shinde said that the Group of Ministers (GoM) was carrying out the process of Telangana formation. Although he did not specify when the Telangana Bill would come, but said that it would be introduced within the stipulated time. He hinted that the Bill will be introduced in the ensuing monsoon session of the Parliament after completion of the constitutional processes. "It will come before our tenure ends," he said.

When asked about the status of Hyderabad, Shinde said that the GoM was discussing several suggestions and recommendations made by various groups including those made by Srikrishna Committee and other individuals. He said that the GoM was looking into several issues including water, electricity, education, finances and sharing of other resources. He said he would interact with the representatives of all political parties during the all-party meeting on Tuesday.

Shinde informed that his meeting with the Secretaries of different departments was being held today. "They have submitted reports on their departments concerned with regard to bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. For more clarification on their reports, I have invited them for discussions," he said.

Replying to a question, Shinde said that he cannot predict whether the Telangana Bill would be passed or not. "My job is to present the Bill and I'm doing my job," he said.