The Andhra Pradesh, Telengana assets division leaves both states divided

Once they lived like a joint family, but now they are demanding a division of estates and finances.When  Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, It was decided to divide the state’s assets on the basis of population. A 58: 42 division was decided and Telangana was to get the higher share. But the situation is no worse than a division or a partition in any affluent Indian family.

Telangana has been claiming all these buildings as most of them are located in Hyderabad.

During the bifurcation, immovable assets that fall in the undivided state have been divided between the two states based on location — those that are within the borders of Telangana went to that state, while those that come under Seemandhra went to Andhra Pradesh.

But Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are still fighting bitterly over assets and liabilities. According to the provisions of Schedule 9 and Schedule 10 of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, if both states are reluctant to reasonable negotiate over the issue, the matter would be referred to a committee. Now, the ball lies in the court of the Union Home Miinistry.

But its not an easy task for the government.

A home ministry’s order of April 18 said that under the Schedule 10 of the AP Reorganisation Act, only cash could be divided proportionately and the location of the land and buildings will be taken into consideration before its division. As most of the buildings are located in Hyderabad, Telangana has a right to it. Quite justifiably, Telangana’s Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) has been demanding it, but Andhra’s Chief Minister  N Chandrababu Naidu (NCN) stresses that  such a process, if adopted, would be in violation of the Supreme Court’s orders.

The SC in its March 18,2017  order had stated that all assets of the undivided state should be divided on the basis of population. According to this order, Telangana would get 58.3 per cent and Andhra Pradesh 41.7 per cent.

The apex court has ordered that in the case of any dispute, the home ministry-appointed committee will take the final view on the issue.

It seems, however, that the Andhra Pradesh government does not trust the central committee on this issue and insists on the apex court’s order for 58.3: 41.7 ratio. There is 142 major buildings and land and that includes the Andhra Pradesh Bhawan in New Delhi.

NCN has been insisting that if the Supreme Court’s orders on the division of assets were not followed, Andhra Pradesh will lose Rs 40,000 crore worth of movable and immovable assets. Naidu has been stressing that all the major buildings.   Telangana’s CM KCR is not willing to part even  an inch of these properties as its all located in Hyderabad and he wants to cash in on the locational advantage.

The two states are yet to decide on the joint liability which is worth Rs 34,000 crores. There are issues related to 89 undivided state boards and corporations.   The committee which was set up to assess the values and worth of the boards and corporations for the purpose of division, it could not decide on the sharing of the manpower.

There is a major dispute over the sharing of water of River Krishna and the sharing of water of the Nagarjunasagar dam and Srisalem dam.

There is a very interesting dispute over the Andhra Pradesh Bhawan Complex on Ashoka Road in New Delhi.  The building houses bhawans of both Telangana and Andhra Bhawan and offices of both the governments.

Naidu is very disturbed with these issues. If Andhra does not get its dues, the Telgu Desam Party will have to face  the wrath of the electorate when the state goes to polls.