Union government on Tuesday clarified that it had no authority to issue a directive to the governor on the implementation of Section 8 of Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act-2014.

Section-8 has been one of the contentious issues between Andhra Pradesh government and Telangana government. While AP government thinks that implementation of the provision by governor would be panacea for all problems the AP people facing in Hyderabad, TS argues that it would not allow governor invested with special powers.

Many organizations, political parties held meetings across AP demanding the centre to empower with section 8. Delegations have been sent to Delhi. Finally, the issue reached parliament in the form of an un-starred question. Members get written answers to the un-starred questions.

Anakapalli TDP MP Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao asked Home Ministry in an unstarred question to inform if the government had issued any guidelines to the governor to implement the section 8 of APRO Act-2014.

In the written reply to the question, MoS home affairs Haribhai Chaudhary said there was no such provision in the Act to issue guidelines to implement provisions including Section 8.

The minister aid centre hold periodic meetings with representatives of the two government to avoid conflict between the states over the implementation of provisions of the Act.  Last such meeting took place on May 30, 2015, said Chaudhary.

Points in Section 8 of AP Reorganization Act- 2014

It deals with the responsibilities of Governor to protect residents of common capital of Hyderabad.

(1) On and from the appointed day, for the purposes of administration of the common capital area, the Governor shall have special responsibility for the security of life, liberty and property of all those who reside in such area.

(2) In particular, the responsibility of the Governor shall extend to matters such as law and order, internal security and security of vital installations, and management and allocation of Government buildings in the common capital area.

(3) In discharge of the functions, the Governor shall, after consulting the Council of Ministers of the State of Telangana, exercise his individual judgment as to the action to be taken:

Provided that if any question arises whether any matter is or is not a matter as respects which the Governor is under this sub-section required to act in the exercise of his individual judgment, the decision of the Governor in his discretion shall be final, and the validity of anything done by the Governor shall not be called in question on the ground that he ought or ought not to have acted in the exercise of his individual judgment.

(4) The Governor shall be assisted by two advisors to be appointed by the Central Government.