The legal department GoM consulted yesterday night cautioned that Article 371 D may prove as a serious obstacle to the process of bifurcation if it is not amended.  The GoM consulted the Attorney General Vahanvati regarding the legal implications and about the Bill of bifurcation and that of amendment of Article 371 D whether to be made separate or make a combined Bill to be introduced in Parliament.

The GoM dealing with the implications in the bifurcation of AP State had a five hour long discussion with the legal department on Thursday in respect of the legal problems that may arise in the State bifurcation in the wake of Article 371 D.  The Article gives special provisions for giving equal opportunities in Education and Employment in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

The GoM attended by Sushil Kumar Shinde, Veerappa Moily, Jairam Ramesh and Narayana Swamy also had deliberations with the Secretaries of various departments yesterday.  After the discussions, it was announced that the draft Bill will be made ready by 20th.  It was also stated that the GoM will meet Unit Ministers belong to Telangana region at 11.00 today and those belong to Semandhra region at 11.30.  A meeting with the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy will be held in the evening.

Aricle 371 D as it is now is an obstruction as legal department said.  It has to be amended if the bifurcation process has to be pushed further.

-SriJa