Without consensus on the issue, it would not be possible to form new states in the country. This is the official stand of the Government of India as of now. Union Minister of State for Home RPN Singh made a statement to this effect on Tuesday in Lok Sabha. He was responding to a written question by Members PK Biju and Rajakumari Chauhan.

The Minister said that formation of new states would have a direct bearing on the federal structure of the govern. ment, and hence new states will be formed only after wide consultation process. He disclosed that demands for creating Telangana, Vidarbha, Saurashtra, Coorg, Kosalanchal, Goorkhaland and Mithilanchal had been put forward by various individuals and organizations.

The latest statement by the Minister is a clear indication that the Centre is not in a hurry to make any moves with regard to Telangana, despite all the hullabaloo over the proposed all-party meet on the issue on Dec 28.