Date:17/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/17/stories/2006021705540800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Cabinet accepts Girglani panel report in toto

Special Correspondent

Implementation of the report on GO 610 straightaway ordered

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has accepted the Girglani Commission report dealing with 610 GO/ 6-Point Formula/Presidential Order in toto and ordered implementation of its recommendations straightaway without any change.

`Small confusion'

The Cabinet, which met here on Thursday with the Girglani report high on the agenda, however, felt that a "small confusion" existed regarding Hyderabad urban district — the Sixth Zone under the Presidential Order — as nine peripheral municipalities had been clubbed with the mega city.

The meeting resolved to ask the committee of officials, which studied the voluminous report along with a Cabinet sub-committee, to examine it further and make recommendations to clear the confusion. These municipalities were in different districts earlier and accordingly fell under different zones. The Hyderabad urban district would have to be redefined accommodating all arguments coming from different quarters protecting the interests of Telangana region, it was resolved. The Cabinet noted that the commission had clearly established violations of the Presidential Order. Referring to them, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy is reported to have observed: "This is sheer injustice. Let us undo it." A unanimous decision was taken to implement the commission's recommendations with immediate effect.

Clarification

Talking to reporters later, Revenue Minister D. Prasada Rao clarified that the free zone, comprising Heads of Departments (HoDs) and the Secretariat in line with the Presidential order and the recommendations of the commission, would continue as it was now. However, the specific HoDs exempted from the Order numbering 51 earlier, would be increased by another 50, taking into consideration the growth of the departments as for the Girglani recommendations. All other departments would be placed under localisation. For these changes, the Government would get Presidential assent.

Mr. Rao explained as to how the Government would go about repatriating employees back to their native zones. For example, work-charged employees posted at irrigation project such as Nagarjunasagar out of exigency in the past would be "readjusted" to their native zones and not indiscriminately anywhere else.