Senior IAS officer Govind Mohan, who recently took charge as the Union Home Secretary, has advised the Telugu states that all issues related to the bifurcation of the two states in an amicable manner. As both the present governments in these states are positive, he felt now they should resolve quickly. He held his first review meeting on Monday at the Union Home Ministry office in Delhi on the issues related to the bifurcation of the combined AP.
The meeting was attended by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretaries Shanthi Kumari and Vijayanand, as well as senior officials of the two states. The officials discussed the main issues that are still unresolved between the two states.
Moreover, the home secretary cautioned them that if both insist on getting more for themselves, both will suffer losses. It is learnt that the Home Secretary has further warned that if one goes to court and the other’s opinion is not the same, the Centre will not be able to do anything and may not even be able to say when it will be resolved.
The Home Secretary suggested that legal advice should be followed in the matter of loans taken in the combined state from foreign institutions. Both the states said that they would seek the opinion of their Advocate Generals, but the Home Secretary said that they would take it quickly. He said that a decision would be taken in the next meeting in accordance with the opinion of the AGs of both the states.
It is reported that the Home Secretary has given key instructions to the two states regarding division, assets and debt distribution. The Union Home Secretary said that both sides should have a positive attitude on the issues related to the distribution of funds related to 20 institutions.
He suggested that efforts should be made to resolve the issue at the level of state high officials as far as possible, and if not, they should discuss it with the heads of government and bring it to a conclusion. It is reported that Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has clarified that the Center will provide full support to infrastructure projects in both the states.