The union cabinet which had three-hour-meeting on Thursday evening has finally approved Telangana state formation with only 10 districts as announced earlier by Congress party. The main points of today’s meeting are:

1. Cabinet approved Telangana with 10 districts.

2. Hyderabad will remain common capital for 10 years.

3. Common capital will be confined to GHMC limits.

4. Safety and security of people living in common capital Hyderabad will be the responsibility of Telangana Governor.

5. Article 371 (D) will be continued in both states after bifurcation.

6. Special Water Boards will be formed for sharing of Krishna and Godavari Rivers’ waters.

7. An expert committee will be constituted to locate the right place for constructing new capital for Andhra Pradesh state, which has to submit its report in 45 days. Government of India will allot necessary funds for this purpose.

8. Polavaram has been approved as National Project. Hence, funds, clearances, necessary permissions will be taken care by government of India.

9. Telangana bill approved by the union cabinet will be sent to President Pranab Mukharji tomorrow or day after tomorrow. He will forward it to state Assembly. 10. The government will try to submit the T-bill in winter Parliament sessions.

However, President Pranab Mukharji will be leaving for West Bengal on a three-day-tour from tomorrow. So, the bill is to be submitted to him tonight or before leaves for Kolkata tomorrow. However, it is up to him to decide, whether to review it immediately or after returning Delhi. If, he agrees to review and forward it to state Assembly, it may be even sent to him while he is in Kolkata. If, he finds nothing objectionable or doesn’t need any clarifications on the bill he may send it to state Assembly with in three four days.

The winter sessions of the state Assembly are scheduled to begin from December 12th. However, President can order for special sessions if he too wants to push the bill to parliament before end of the winter sessions.

As per constitutional practices, state Assembly is to be given 39 days’ time to return the bill with its comments. However, it depends on President Pranab Mukharji how many days’ time he wants to give to state Assembly. If, he prefers to follow constitutional procedures then, the bill can’t reach the winter sessions of the Parliament. Hence, special sessions have to be summoned to submit and approve the bill.