Telangana issue: Centre finalises Terms of Reference draft

The Centre has finalised the draft of the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the five-member Committee constituted on the Telangana issue, which are expected to be announced on Monday.

Member secretary of the newly constituted Committee Vinod K Duggal held a nearly 30 minute-long meeting with home minister P Chidambaram today and discussed the ToR.

Duggal had discussed the ToR with Chairman of the Committee justice (Retd) BN Srikrishna in Mumbai.

The ToR was also discussed at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee with Chidambaram briefing the leaders that it would be finalised soon.

After announcing the names of the Committee members on Wednesday, Union home secretary Gopal K Pillai had said the Committee would hold wide-ranging consultations with all sections of people and different political parties and groups on "the situation in Andhra Pradesh".

"Chidambaram told the meeting that Terms of Reference will be finalised shortly. The CWC members were satisfied with his assurance," Congress general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister K Rosaiah also met the home minister and discussed the prevailing situation in the state. He also met Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The CWC meeting was also attended by Rosaiah and Congress leaders from Andhra Pradesh K Keshava Rao, V Kishore Chandra Deo and G Venkatswami.