Contracts, pensions to burden residuary AP
RIVER BOARDS BY JUNE 2
Andhra Pradesh, which is expecting a deficit budget will be further burdened by the agreements and contracts taken in the undivided state. Monthly pensions will add to the burden of the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh after state’s bifurcation.
Union minister Jairam Ramesh said he had a three-hour meeting with the Governor, chief secretary and other government officials on Thursday to review the current status of state bifurcation.
He said roughly about 1.4 lakh agreements and contracts that were undertaken by the undivided state of Andhra Pradesh have been identified. He said they have identified what belongs to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states. He said nearly 75,000 agreements belong to Andhra Pradesh and its value will be `97,000 crore, while 62,000 pertaining to Telangana with a value of `1,88,000 crore while the rest are common to both the states.
Union minister Jairam Ramesh said that the Union government has approved to establish councils headed by Central water resource minister, two Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to settle issue regarding sharing of waters by the both states.
Mr Jairam Ramesh said these councils are for planning and dispute settlement. He said Tungabhadra board will be reconstituted with Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states by June 2.
The Union Cabinet has already approved of creating Krishna and Godavari river boards, and before June 2 chairmen will be appointed for the both boards.
He said 21 committees have been set up to complete the process of bifurcation who will submit their reports by April 30. Nearly 26 lakh files have been digitised, and allocated to Telangana and the successor state of Andhra Pradesh. He said in the common capital, GHMC area is identifying buildings to be occupied by Telangana government and the new government of Andhra Pradesh respectively.
He said the pension liability for Telangana will be about ` 500 crore and `700 crore for Andhra Pradesh state.
The Centre constituted two expert committees, one to bifurcate all India service officers and another committee for state level employees. He said 80,000 state level employees will be allocated to the both states. The Union minister said that there are 119 companies and corporations to be bifurcated and the process will be completed by June 2.
Allocation of the Secretariat and Assembly buildings are underway.. The manner of utilisation of AP Bhavan in Delhi by the both states is also under consideration.