Union cabinet clears Telangana bill

The Supreme Court Friday refused to intervene in the central government's plans to carve out Telangana state, dismissing a number of petitions, seeking stay on the government's move to bring Telangana bill in parliament.

The apex court ruled that it is not an appropriate stage for it to intervene in the matter.

Both houses of the state legislature on Jan 30 had passed resolutions by a voice vote, rejecting the bill sent by President Pranab Mukherjee for its opinion under Article 3 of the Constitution.

However, the central government has decided to go ahead with the process for formation of separate state.

The bill will now be sent to the president with a recommendation to forward it to parliament.

Sources said the bill may be tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Feb 12.

Parliament was again disrupted Friday over the Telangana issue. Both the houses were repeatedly adjourned.

Three no-confidence motions were admitted in the Lok Sabha, including one from a Congress member from Andhra Pradesh, opposing the proposed formation of Telangana.

In the Lok Sabha, the question hour was lost to protests as members from Seemandhra (as coastal Andhra and Rayalseema are collectively known) who are opposed to the division of the state, raised slogans and disrupted the proceedings.