PM, Ministers meet to discuss T-Report

Two days before the Justice B N Srikrishna Committee submits its Report on the future of Andhra Pradesh, the Union Government on Wednesday began the process of consultations within its ranks.

The contentious issue of bifurcation of the state was taken up at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram, Defence Minister AK Antony and Congress In-Charge for Andhra Pradesh Affairs and Law Minister M Veerappa Moily in attendance. Apart from these Union Ministers, senior bureaucrats and officials also attended the meeting.

Though the outcome is not officially known, sources say that the meeting discussed the situation which would emerge after the submission of the Report.

According to sources, the meeting also focused on the establishment of Second States Reorganization Committee to look into establishment of smaller states.

The sources further add that the Centre is contemplating the setting up of a Committee to brief the Justice Srikrishna Commission Report to the Group of Ministers so that discussions on how to proceed with the recommendations could begin with the Prime Minister immediately.

After the discussion of Srikrishna Commission Report in the Group of Ministers meeting, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram would brief media on the report on January 4 or 5.

Earlier, Justice Srikrishna and the Panel Members met the Union Home Minister at his residence and informed him that he Report would be submitted as per the schedule.

Meanwhile, Union Information Minister Ambika Soni on Wednesday called on Mr Chidambaram and appealed him to appoint a nodal officer to brief the contents in the Justice Srikrishna commission report to the media.

She said that the nodal officer would coordinate with Union Home Ministry and media over the commission report.

Ms Soni also asked the media not to sensationalise the Justice Srikrishna Committee report on Telangana and strictly follow the National Broadcasting Association Guidelines issued in this connection. She urged media to confirm report once before airing it in print or electronic media.

The I and B Minister further warned the media of stringent action if they violate the National Broadcasting Association Guidelines.