Introduction

On December 6, 2013, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet and sent to the President from the Home Department. After consulting legal experts, the President consented to the draft bill and forwarded it to the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly for its views within six weeks, setting the deadline as January 23, 2014.

Discussions in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly

• December 16, 2013: The bill was introduced in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council by Speaker Nadendla Manohar. However, due to chaos in the house, it was adjourned to the next day.
• The disruption continued, leading to adjournments until January 3, 2014. During this period, Sridhar Babu, the Legislative Affairs Minister, was replaced by Shailajanath.
• January 3-6, 2014: The assembly remained in disorder, preventing any discussion.
• January 7, 2014: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) organized “Sampoorna Telangana Sadhana Deeksha” at Indira Park.
• January 8, 2014: Minister Vatti Vasantha Kumar initiated discussions on the bill.
• January 18-19, 2014: Loksatta leader Jayaprakash Narayan supported the bill, while Shailajanath spoke in favor of a united Andhra Pradesh.
• January 20, 2014: Clause-wise views and amendments were compiled into a CD containing 9039 amendments.
• January 22-23, 2014: Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy opposed the bill, calling it unfortunate. He insisted that the original bill should be sent instead of the draft bill.
• January 23, 2014: As the stipulated period ended, the state government requested an extension, which the President granted until January 30, 2014.
• January 25, 2014: Kiran Kumar Reddy submitted a resolution to reject the bill.
• January 30, 2014:
  • The last day for discussions.
  • Speaker announced that 87 members spoke and 9072 amendments were proposed.
  • A resolution against the bill was passed via voice vote, despite procedural irregularities.

Parliament’s Approval of the Telangana Bill

• February 1, 2014: The Assembly’s report on the bill was sent to the Chief Secretary, who forwarded it to Delhi on February 3, 2014.
• February 9, 2014: The bill reached the President.
• February 12, 2014:
  • The Law Ministry clarified that no constitutional amendment was required.
  • The Union Cabinet reduced Polavaram submergence villages to 134.
• February 13, 2014: Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde introduced the bill in Parliament.
• February 18, 2014: The Lok Sabha passed the bill via voice vote.
• February 19-20, 2014:
  • The bill reached Rajya Sabha.
  • Protests by Seemandhra MPs led to multiple adjournments.
  • BJP leader Arun Jaitley supported the bill, while CPM leader Seetharam Yechury opposed it.
  • Venkaiah Naidu proposed 38 amendments.
• February 20, 2014: The bill was passed in Rajya Sabha by voice vote.
• March 1, 2014: The bill was signed into law by the President, officially becoming the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014.
• March 2, 2014: The Cabinet added seven Mandals from Bhadrachalam division to Andhra Pradesh.
• March 4, 2014: The Home Ministry declared June 2, 2014, as the appointed day for Telangana’s formation.
• June 2, 2014: Telangana officially became India’s 29th state.

Assurances by the Prime Minister

During the Rajya Sabha discussions, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh provided six assurances to Andhra Pradesh:

1. Special Development Package for Rayalaseema and North Coastal Andhra, similar to packages for Koraput-Bolangir-Kalahandi in Odisha and Bundelkhand in Madhya Pradesh.
2. Incentives for Industrialization and Economic Growth in both states.
3. Special Status for Andhra Pradesh for five years, covering four Rayalaseema and three North Coastal districts.
4. Execution of the Polavaram Project by the Central Government, including rehabilitation and reconstruction.
5. Deficit Financing in Andhra Pradesh for 2014-15 through central budgetary support.
6. Resolution of Staff, Finance, Assets, and Liabilities distribution issues.