Worried over the lapse of scope for debate and arbitration on disputes arising out of the Provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act, the State government is mounting pressure on the Union government to extend the deadline of Section 108 of the Act — a dispute redressal mechanism. The government is arguing that the mechanism should be in place until the Sheela Bhide Committee completes its task.
The Act has provision which explicitly says the President through Governor can decide on unresolved disputes. The provision, however, ended on June 1 after three years from the appointed day.
The AP government wanted it to be extended for another two years in view of many issues lying unresolved. Sharing of river water, institutions, assets and liabilities, and the distribution and division of the High Court — all very contentious and emotive subjects — were some of them. The Centre, however, asked the government to “justify” its demand, sources say.
The government pointed out that the Sheela Bhide committee is yet to complete division of the assets and liabilities of the left out entities, companies and corporations including employees of all corporations listed under Schedule IX. The Union government is yet to respond, a senior official says.
“Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar wrote to the Union Home Secretary requesting that Section 108 be made applicable for two more years until 2019, as there are still disputes to be settled between the two States,” says the source.
The government, in the absence of such mechanism, feels that the issues relating to the irrigation sector, employee service matters, apportionment of assets and liabilities in public undertakings would become difficult, sources say.
The Section says: “If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the President may, by order do anything not inconsistent with such provisions which appears to him to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty: Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of a period of three years from the appointed day.”