Telangana bill passed

Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill has been passed by Parliament with Rajya Sabha, approving it by voice vote. The Lok Sabha had passed it on Tuesday. CPM staged a walk-out in the Rajya Sabha as its demand for voting was not accepted. The main opposition BJP said though it was not fully satisfied with the provisions of the Bill, it is extending support to it in the interests of people of Telangana. All the amendments moved by the opposition parties including BJP were negated. However, TMC members who were against the Bill, did not press for their amendments.

Intervening in the discussion the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh announced to grant special Category Status to 13 districts of
Seemandhra for a period of five years to put the state’s finances on a
firmer footing. He assured the House that the Centre will execute the
Polavaram multi purpose project and will make any further amendments if needed for Rehabilitation and Resettlement under the project. The Prime Minister said the resource gap that may arise in Seemandhra after state division in the first year will be compensated in the Regular Union Budget for 2014-15.