This Article is From Aug 06, 2010

Telangana committee: Suicides, bypolls have been noted

Telangana committee: Suicides, bypolls have been noted
Hyderabad: The Sri Krishna Committee on Friday said it has taken note of the results of the recent bypolls in Telangana region and alleged suicides in support of the statehood demand, but maintained it would not put any kind of "pressure" on the preparation of the final report.

"The Committee is not oblivious to what is happening on the ground. We have taken note of the bypolls results and the entire data is with us. We have also gone through the editorials, the comments in the media. It is very much in the knowledge of the Committee," V K Duggal, member-secretary of the Committee, told reporters in Hyderabad.

The Committee members were asked how they saw the outcome of the recent by-elections to 12 Assembly constituencies in Telangana region.

Asked if the continuing alleged suicides in support of the Telangana demand or other emotional expression of sentiments in various regions of Andhra Pradesh put any kind of pressure on the committee, Justice Sri Krishna replied in the negative.

"One thing, I think by this time I am beyond all kinds of pressures. It is a fact to be noted..... What inference we draw, we will see," he said.

"Everything that is happening on the ground, trust us, that has been taken note of. What inference we draw is our privilege," Duggal and Sri Krishna said in reply to another query.

The committee has so far interacted with 100 groups and received about 1,15,000 representations over the issue, Duggal said.

The panel members have toured seven districts in coastal Andhra and visited about 15 villages and towns as part of the field visits.

Noting that 99 per cent of the public consultations and field visits is over, he said the committee would wind up the process by mid-September.

The Committee members will soon visit Telangana and Rayalaseema districts.

Sri Krishna said the Committee would submit its report to the Centre by the end of December as mandated.

Earlier in the day, the state ministers hailing from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions met the Committee members and put forward their demand that the unity of Andhra Pradesh be retained.

"We have explained the historical and other factors in detail. We sought that Andhra Pradesh be kept united," state Endowments Minister Gade Venkata Reddy told reporters after their meeting.
.