Seemandhra ministers meet PM, seek 'justice'

Union ministers of Seemandhra region met prime minister Manmohan Singh and raised several issues of concern that have cropped up in the wake of decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.

The Central ministers from Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions of Andhra Pradesh Monday called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, seeking justice to people of all regions while bifurcating the state.

Minister of State for Commerce D. Purandeswari told reporters after the meeting that they conveyed to the Prime Minister the sentiments of people of Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra) and explained how justice could be ensured to them.

She said Manmohan Singh assured them justice would be done to all the regions. "He patiently heard our views. After meeting him we gained the confidence that justice would be done to Seemandhra," she said.

"We conveyed to him the people's expectations about Hyderabad, their children's future especially with regard to education and employment and the issues related to water sharing," she said.

The meeting came amid intensified efforts by Group of Ministers (GoM) to submit a report to the Union cabinet that has approved a decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh and carve out a separate Telangana state.

The central government is taking steps to send a draft bill for the formation of Telangana to the Andhra Pradesh assembly by month-end. The bill is likely to be tabled during the winter session of parliament.

Purandeswari said their meeting with the prime minister was continuation of their meetings with individual members of GoM, which is looking into the issues related to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

MM Pallam Raju, K. Chiranjeevi, J.D. Seelam and K. Surya Prakash Reddy were the other ministers who met the prime minister.

Purandeswari said the issue of resignations did not figure during the meeting.

She along with Pallam Raju, Chiranjeevi and Surya Prakash Reddy had submitted their resignations to Manmohan Singh last month to protest against the state's bifurcation.

Source:Andhra Headlines