Hyderabad, Sep 27 (Representative) A meeting under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India was conducted on Tuesday with the officials of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh States to discuss the pending bilateral issues. A statement here said that the main issue is regarding the definition of Head Quarters. This was clarified by the MHA in May, 2017 that where the Principal Office building is located would be considered as Head Quarter. Andhra Pradesh State has said that Dr Sheela Bhide Committee recommendations have to be accepted in full. Telangana State has brought to the notice of MHA that there are court cases pending in High Court of Telangana with respect to certain institutions and till the matter is settled by the court, no further action can be taken. The court cases also with respect to the definition of Head Quarter. In the case of Deccan Infrastructure & Land Holdings Ltd. (DILL), Government of Telangana has resumed lands which were unutilized by DILL in 2015. Andhra Pradesh has filed a case in High Court wherein interim stay orders were issued.
The expert committee has recommended for division of these properties treating them as HeadQuarters assets inspite of the objections raised by the Government of Telangana. In the case of A.P Dairy Development Corporation, the Telangana High Court has declared that MHA, Union of India does not have any jurisdiction with respect to the apportionment of assets and liabilities of Schedule IX institutions. The Home Secretary has directed the MHA to examine all the court cases in consultation with the Law Department.Government of Telangana has requested MHA to reconstitute a Board of the AP State Finance Corporation in May, 2016 itself, however no such reconstitution of Board was done. The then Board of AP State Finance Corporation has prepared a bifurcation plan unilaterally and sent it to the Government of India for their approval.In this case also, AP has approached the High Court against the resumption of 238 acres of land in Ranga Reddy District. The High Court issued a status quo order in November, 2015 and the matter is still pending. Andhra Pradesh State wanted to keep the land issue separate and the balance of issues related to bifurcation can be taken up by the Government of India. Telangana State has objected to the same as the issue involved in this case is also the definition of Head Quarter and whether the lands in dispute would be considered as a part of Head Quarter asset or not.
The Home Secretary has requested MHA to examine the case keeping in view of the status quo orders of the High Court.Government of Andhra Pradesh has raised the issue that Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) is to be bifurcated as they have assets in the successor state of Andhra Pradesh. Telangana State has strongly objected and said that the question of Division of SCCL does not arise as there is a specific provision in the Act transferring the 51 per cent of equity to Telangana State completely. Similarly, APHMEL is only a subsidiary company of SCCL and the only division which is to be done is that of equity of the then Andhra Pradesh State. The Home Secretary gave directions to MHA to examine the matter. There is a dispute with regard to cash credit liability which was utilized by Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. before the corporation was divided. Government of Telangana has agreed to pay the principal amount of the cash credit subject to the condition that A.P State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd gives an undertaking that the subsidy to be released by the Government of India would be transferred to Telangana State. There is a dispute regarding even on the principal amount which was originally agreed to Rs 354 crores and is subsequently revised.Telangana State has agreed to consult the banks in this regard and with Andhra Pradesh to repay the reconciled principal amount. The subsidy amount due to Telangana State would be transferred as and when it is received by the Government of India.
Andhra Pradesh has raised the issue of apportionment of 12 institutes which are not mentioned anywhere in the Act, Telangana State has objected to the same saying that this would amount to amendment to Act, and the process of division would never end because there may be other institutions which are not mentioned in the Act. The Home Secretary requested MHA to examine the matter in consultation with the Law Department. The three issues related to division of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, expenditure on common institutions and public debt related to externally aided projects (EAPs) was discussed and agreed that both the states should take the help of C&AG of India to settle the same. On the request of the Government of Telangana, the Home Secretary has instructed the Ministry of Finance to release the funds. The Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana has raised the issue of Establishment of Tribal University as per the provisions of A.P Reorganization Act, 2014. The land required for the same was also provided. The Home Secretary has directed the Ministry of Higher Education, Government of India to examine the matter and take necessary action expeditiously. Telangana State has raised the issue of establishment of Rail Coach Factory in Kazipet and informed the Home Secretary that the required land of 150 acres was already mutated in favour of Railways. The Home Secretary has instructed the Ministry of Railways to examine the matter and take necessary action expeditiously.Government of Andhra Pradesh wanted A.P Reorganization Act to be amended to remove the matters related to anomaly in taxation matters mentioned in Section 50, 51 and 56. Government of Telangana has strongly objected to amending the Act at this length of time after 8 years of formation of Telangana. Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar and other officials attended the meeting.