India on February 20, 2014 got its 29th state, but not before a day-long debate in Parliament and decades-long struggle. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013, which sought to bifurcate the southern state into Telangana and Seemandhra, was passed by Rajya Sabha on Thursday, days after it was adopted by Lok Sabha.
Parliament on 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.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced special status for five years for Seemandhra – the residual state of Andhra Pradesh following creation of a separate Telangana.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on the bill to create a separate Telangana state, the prime minister announced a six-point package for Seemandhra, meeting some of the demands of main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“For purposes of central assistance, Special Category Status will be extended to the successor state of Andhra Pradesh comprising 13 districts, including the four districts of Rayalaseema and the three districts of north coastal Andhra for a period of five years. This will put the state’s finances on a firmer footing,” the prime minister said.
Reading his statement amid din and slogan shouting by members opposing the bill, he said the central government would take appropriate fiscal measures, including offer of tax incentives to promote industrialization and economic growth in both the states.
“These incentives will be along the lines extended to some other states.”
He pointed out that the bill already provides for a special development package for the backward regions of the successor state of Andhra Pradesh, in particular for the districts of Rayalaseema and north coastal Andhra.
“This development package will be on the lines of the KBK (Koraput-Bolangir-Kalahandi) Special Plan in Odisha and the Bundelkhand special package in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh,” he said.
The prime minister assured the house that further amendments, if needed, would be carried out to facilitate smooth and full rehabilitation and resettlement for the Polavaram project.
Under the bill, the government has already provided for national status to Polavaram project, coming up across Godavari in coastal Andhra.
Manmohan Singh also declared that the appointed day for the formation of the new state would be so fixed in relation to the notified date to enable preparatory work relating to personnel, finance and distribution of assets and liabilities to be completed satisfactorily.
As BJP leaders raised concerns about the possible revenue deficit in Seemandhra, the prime minister said the resource gap that may arise in the first year would be compensated in the regular union budget for 2014-15.
“I hope these additional announcements will demonstrate our steadfast commitment to not just the creation of Telangana but also to the continued prosperity and welfare of Seemandhra,” he added. (IANS)