Transfer of Five Gram Panchayats from A.P. to Telangana Gains Momentum

In a significant development, the meeting between Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has led to a breakthrough in the long-standing issue of transferring five gram panchayats from A.P. to Telangana. The gram panchayats, which were merged with A.P. in 2014, have been a point of contention due to the difficulties faced by locals in accessing essential services.

The two Chief Ministers have reportedly reached a consensus on re-merging the gram panchayats into Telangana, which will enable the locals to access emergency medical and other services more easily. The process of re-merger is expected to begin soon, with officials from both states working on the legal formalities required to complete the transfer.

The five gram panchayats, namely Etapaka, Gundala, Purushottapatnam, Kannaigudem, and Pichukalapalem, along with seven mandals of Khammam district, were merged with A.P. shortly after the formation of the Narendra Modi government. As a result, the endowment lands of the Bhadrachalam temple, located in these villages, were transferred to A.P., while the temple town remained in Telangana. This has led to several representations being made to the government, seeking the re-merger of these villages into Telangana due to the legal issues involved in the management of the temple lands.

Residents of the area have been facing difficulties in accessing villages closer to Bhadrachalam, as they have to cross the A.P. border and re-enter Telangana to reach them. To address this issue, local MLA Tellam Venkat Rao has been approached by residents to impress upon the government to ensure the re-merger of these panchayats into Telangana. Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has also written to Revanth Reddy to raise the issue during his meeting with Naidu.

The process of re-merger will involve a resolution being passed in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, seeking the cooperation of A.P. in transferring the five panchayats. Once A.P. gives its consent through a similar resolution, the issue will be taken up with the Centre for amending the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. Officials are optimistic that the Centre will not object to the process once the two states give their consent and are hopeful that the amendment bill will be introduced in Parliament without any hurdles.

“The process will start once the two states give their official consent,” a senior official from the Telangana government has stated. The successful transfer of these gram panchayats is expected to bring relief to the locals and pave the way for smoother access to essential services.

Historical Context:

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, was passed by the Indian Parliament on February 18, 2014, which led to the formation of the new state of Telangana from the eastern part of Andhra Pradesh. The Act also led to the merger of five gram panchayats, namely Etapaka, Gundala, Purushottapatnam, Kannaigudem, and Pichukalapalem, along with seven mandals of Khammam district, with Andhra Pradesh. This merger was done to ensure the smooth functioning of the newly formed state of Telangana.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu have reached a consensus on re-merging five gram panchayats from A.P. to Telangana. • The gram panchayats, which were merged with A.P. in 2014, have been a point of contention due to difficulties faced by locals in accessing essential services. • The re-merger process is expected to begin soon, with officials from both states working on the legal formalities required to complete the transfer. • The five gram panchayats, along with seven mandals of Khammam district, were merged with A.P. shortly after the formation of the Narendra Modi government. • The endowment lands of the Bhadrachalam temple, located in these villages, were transferred to A.P., while the temple town remained in Telangana, leading to legal issues in the management of the temple lands. • Residents of the area have been facing difficulties in accessing villages closer to Bhadrachalam, as they have to cross the A.P. border and re-enter Telangana to reach them. • The process of re-merger will involve a resolution being passed in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, seeking the cooperation of A.P. in transferring the five panchayats. • Once A.P. gives its consent through a similar resolution, the issue will be taken up with the Centre for amending the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. • Officials are optimistic that the Centre will not object to the process once the two states give their consent and are hopeful that the amendment bill will be introduced in Parliament without any hurdles. • The successful transfer of these gram panchayats is expected to bring relief to the locals and pave the way for smoother access to essential services.