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Lok Sabha passes Uttaranchal bill

The Lok Sabha Tuesday night took a step forward towards the creation of Uttaranchal, which will become the 27th state, with the passage of a bill for carving the new state out of Uttar Pradesh.

The House adopted by a voice vote the Uttar Pradesh State Reorganisation Bill, with Home Minister L K Advani assuring members that the economic viability of the new state will be taken care of.

The state, which is being carved out of 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh, was in accordance with the long-standing aspirations of people, Advani said while replying to a debate.

This is the second of three statehood bills which have been taken into consideration by the House. While the bill for formation of Chhattisgarh was passed Monday, the House is scheduled to take up the Jharkhand bill on Wednesday.

The House rejected all Opposition amendments on the bill.

Advani said the criteria for formation of new states would be based on recommendations sent by state assemblies.

He said though there have been demands for creation of a separate Vidarbha state to be carved out of Maharashtra, the rest of the state was totally opposed to such a proposal.

Earlier, the House witnessed uproarious scenes before the bill was moved for consideration by Advani.

PTI

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