Telangana Bill tabled in AP Assembly amid din

Amid chaotic scenes in the Assembly on Monday morning, Speaker Nadendla Manohar tabled the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013.

With an overwhelming number of MLAs from all parties rushing to the well of the House, the Speaker after a 30-minute-long adjournment announced the House that he has received the draft Bill from the President.

On the direction of Mr. Manohar, Legislature Secretary S.Rajasadaram read the covering letter. The House was adjourned for half an hour by the Speaker as noisy scenes continued.

The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) is expected to meet shortly to fix the schedule for discussion of the Bill. Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy was not present in the House as he is said to be indisposed and it is to be seen whether he will attend the crucial meeting of the BAC.

There was commotion at the media point on Assembly premises, as TDP and YSR Congress MLAs tore and set afire to the copies of the draft Bill. The Telangana MLAs cutting across party lines condemned the incident.

The following is the text of the President's covering letter: "Whereas the Government of India after extensive consultations with all stakeholders and after consideration of all aspects relating to the bifurcation of the existing State of AP and the creation of a new State of Telangana, propose that a Bill 'Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013' to provide for formation of the State of Telangana and for matters incidental and connected there with should be introduced in Parliament as early as practicable."

"The proposal contained in the Bill affects the area and boundaries of existing states of Andhra Pradesh in as much as it relates to the formation of State of Telangana by separation of certain territories from the existing State of AP. In pursuance of proviso to Article 3 of Constitution of India I hereby refer the said Bill to State Legislature of AP for expressing its views there on by January 23, 2014."

Amid chaotic scenes in the Assembly on Monday morning, Speaker Nadendla Manohar tabled the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013.

With an overwhelming number of MLAs from all parties rushing to the well of the House, the Speaker after a 30-minute-long adjournment announced the House that he has received the draft Bill from the President.

On the direction of Mr. Manohar, Legislature Secretary S.Rajasadaram read the covering letter. The House was adjourned for half an hour by the Speaker as noisy scenes continued.

The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) is expected to meet shortly to fix the schedule for discussion of the Bill. Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy was not present in the House as he is said to be indisposed and it is to be seen whether he will attend the crucial meeting of the BAC.

There was commotion at the media point on Assembly premises, as TDP and YSR Congress MLAs tore and set afire to the copies of the draft Bill. The Telangana MLAs cutting across party lines condemned the incident.

The following is the text of the President's covering letter: "Whereas the Government of India after extensive consultations with all stakeholders and after consideration of all aspects relating to the bifurcation of the existing State of AP and the creation of a new State of Telangana, propose that a Bill 'Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013' to provide for formation of the State of Telangana and for matters incidental and connected there with should be introduced in Parliament as early as practicable."

"The proposal contained in the Bill affects the area and boundaries of existing states of Andhra Pradesh in as much as it relates to the formation of State of Telangana by separation of certain territories from the existing State of AP. In pursuance of proviso to Article 3 of Constitution of India I hereby refer the said Bill to State Legislature of AP for expressing its views there on by January 23, 2014."