GoM still undecided on key issues: Moily

Union petroleum minister M Veerappa Moily, who is also a member of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on state bifurcation, has said the GoM is still examining crucial issues.

“We will finalise our recommendations by the end of this month and I hope the the T-bill will be adopted in the winter session of Parliament,” Moily told reporters in Delhi on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the national capital witnessed intense activity on the T-front.

Seemandhra Union ministers Kavuri Sambasiva Rao, K Chiranjeevi, Kotla Surya Prakash Reddy and JD Seelam met Moily, defence minister AK Antony and rural development minister Jairam Ramesh separately.

During their separate meetings with the head and members of the GoM, the Seemandhra ministers are understood to have sought Union Territory status for Hyderabad and a financial package to Seemandhra.

Meanwhile, Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, along Jairam Ramesh, took part in the GoM meeting, together with officials.

After the meeting, Shinde said the draft report of the GoM might not come before the next meeting of the Union Cabinet.

“Today’s meeting is not the last meeting of the GoM. In fact, bifurcation of AP is a big issue and nothing can be done in a hurry. The GoM may have two or three sittings further,” he said.

Speaking to reporters separately, Jairam Ramesh said all the members would attend Thursday’s meeting of the GoM.