Lok Sabha passes Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill Friday July 11,2014

The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2014 amid protests from members of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and others.

The Bill that paves the way for the shifting of seven mandals from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh for the Polavaram project was opposed on the grounds that the transfer of land was being done in an unconstitutional manner, violating Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitution which mandate that the two State Assemblies have to be consulted.

Speakers from the TRS, the BJD, the Trinamool and the Congress highlighted the Bill’s unconstitutionality.

Home minister Rajnath Singh introduced the bill in the house, after which TRS MP Vinod Kumar Boianapalli along with Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy opposed the debate on the bill.

TRS MP Vinod Kumar Boianapalli said that the bill was against Article 3 of the constitution, which deals with the formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing states.

Despite protests by opposition members, the bill was adopted and passed, after which Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the house till 2 pm.

Following the passage of the bill, the house was adjourned till 2 pm.

The Andhra Pradesh Government on Friday welcomed the passage of the AP Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2014 by the Lok Sabha that will transfer seven mandals in Bhadrachalam revenue division of Telangana to AP.

“This will clear the way for construction of Polavaram multi—purpose project. We will complete it in the next three years,” Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said.

The first bill that the Modi government has lined up in Lok Sabha is the Andhra Pradesh reorganization bill