With Hyderabad expectedly emerging as the bone of contention even as the State is heading towards bifurcation, Andhra leaders have got down to the task of suggesting various measures to protect the interests of non-Telangana people settled in the city over the years.
Delhi has already indicated it would put in place enough safeguards in the division bill so to as to ensure complete protection to Andhras in Hyderabad and is also setting up a high level committee to elicit views of a cross-section of people. Though for public consumption, Andhra leaders are pitching for Union Territory status to Hyderabad, they seem to know as much as anyone else that it may not find favour with a majority of the interested groups/parties.
The alternative proposal likely to be raised by Andhra leaders, in the event of administrative control of Hyderabad ultimately vesting with only the Telangana State, is as follows:
* A separate cadre in respect of every department could be proposed for a period of 10 years and this would include people from both the regions.
* The police force has to be rearranged under the Hyderabad City Police Act.
* The Presidential Order of 1975 has to be abrogated to permit the reorganisation of administration in Hyderabad.
* The administrative control of these cadres can be handed over to the Centre under Article 258 A of the Constitution by way of an order of the Governor and acceptance by the Centre.
*At the very least, these measures should be implemented in Police and Revenue departments.
This is more or less on the lines of the system existing in Delhi where law and order is not under the control of the State Government. Andhra leaders are, however, seeking to include the Revenue department too under the joint cadre model as they fear division could lead to significant increase in land disputes.
Ruling out Union Territory status for Hyderabad, AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh, who is set to be on the high level panel, has already hinted that the Centre is looking at a Delhi-like model with whatever changes required, keeping in view the conditions relevant to Hyderabad and concers of Seemandhra.