Telangana panel: Govt finalises terms of reference

The Centre on Friday announced seven-point terms of reference for the Telangana committee, saying the panel will consult all sections of people in Andhra Pradesh, especially political parties, on the demand of a separate state.

The five-member committee, headed by Justice (Retired) B N Srikrishna, will "examine the situation in Andhra Pradesh with reference to demand for a separate state of Telangana as well as the demand for maintaining the present status of united Andhra Pradesh".

"It will review the development in the state since its formation and their impact on the progress and development of different regions of the state," the ToR said.

The committee, which includes Ranbir Singh, Abusaleh Shariff, Ravinder Kaur and former home secretary Vinod K Duggal as member-secretary, "will examine the impact of the recent developments in the state on different sections of people such as women, children, students, minorities, SCs and STs".

It has been asked to submit its report by December 31 this year.

The ToR said the committee will "identify the key issues that must be addressed while considering the matter". It will "consult all sections of people, especially political parties on the aforesaid matters and elicit their views to seek from the political parties and other organisations a range of solutions that would resolve the present difficult situation and promote the welfare of all sections of people to identify the optimal solutions for this purpose and to recommend a plan of action and a roadmap".

On February 2, the government had announced the formation of the committee, which would hold wide-ranging consultations with all sections of the people and different political parties and groups on 'the situation in Andhra Pradesh'.