Bright indications are that the Telangana groups have prevailed upon the government at last to do away with the controversial 14F clause of the Presidential Order. It has now been sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for further action.

According to these sources, chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy telephoned the home minister on Thursday morning and sought an early decision on the issue as the examinations for the recruitment of sub-inspectors are slated to be held throughout the state on August 13-14. "After going through the concerned file, Chidambaram called up the chief minister around 11.30 am and informed him that he had just cleared and sent it to the Prime Minister's Office," said the sources. Kiran Kumar also enquired whether the matter needed the clearance of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) as was stated by Manmohan Singh when a delegation of Telangana Congress MPs called on him two days ago. "Chidambaram assured the chief minister that the matter will be taken care of once the Prime Minister gives his approval," the sources said.

PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana, who is in New Delhi, also said after meeting Chidambaram and finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday that clause 14 F was on its way out. "Both of them assured me of a positive decision. I am confident that 14F will be deleted before the SI examinations are held, most likely in the next couple of days," Botsa told over telephone.