The controversial Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill that allows transfer of seven mandals from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh is just a step away from being enacted into a law with the Rajya Sabha on Monday giving its assent amid protests from TRS and Congress members from Telangana. The bill was passed by Lok Sabha on Friday last amid vociferous protests from members belonging to TRS, BJD and TMC. With the RS clearing the Bill through a voice vote, it will become a law once President Pranab Mukherjee signs it. As the bill was taken up for discussion, the lone TRS member in Rajya Sabha K. Keshav Rao move a statutory resolution demanding that the Bill and the resolution be taken up for discussion separately. However, deputy chairman P.J. Kurien rejected the demand and ruled that it will be discussed together. Mr Rao, who supported by Congress members from Telangana, opposed the transfer of villages coming under these seven mandals from Telangana to the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh for facilitation of the Polavaram irrigation project, saying the ordinance issued to this effect was unconstitutional. Intervening in the debate, home minister Rajnath Singh said most of these areas were parts of the East Godavari District and were transferred in 1958 to Khammam district. He also recalled former PM Manmohan Singh’s assurance to the House in February this year that “if any further amendments are needed to facilitate the smooth and full R&R for the Polavaram project, they would be given effect to at the earliest.” Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, who was closely involved in the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, sought to take credit for the bill and appreciated the current government for taking it forward as it is, saying it reflects the democratic politics. Mr Ramesh was speaking in favour of the bill. Members belong to Andhra Pradesh cutting along party lines supported the Bill with C M Ramesh (TDP), K V P Ramachandra Rao (Cong) and K Chiranjeevi (Cong) speaking in its favour, while members from Telangana – V Hanumantha Rao, Renuka Chowdry, Ananda Bhaskar and Palvai Govardhan Reddy opposed the Bill in its current form. CPI MP D Raja batted for changing the design of the Polavaram project so as to assuage the feelings of people from Odisha and Chhatisgarh. As the discussion ended, the Chair dismissed Mr Keshav Rao’s demand for division of votes and put the Bill through voice vote. Amid noisy scenes, Congress MPs from Telangana walked out of the House in protest against the Bill. Meanwhile in Lok Sabha the BJD members accused the government of being “unresponsive” to their demand that the height of the Polavaram project should not be and staged a walkout saying thousands of tribals would be affected by it in four districts of Odisha. “Four districts (of Odisha) will be inundated. The decision to raise the height of (Polavaram) dam was a one-sided decision which was taken unilaterally,” BJD leader Bhartuhari Mahtab said during Zero Hour. As he spoke, his party members stood in the aisle and walked out as soon as he ended his speech. Mr Mahtab said Odisha government has “pleaded before the Supreme Court on this and the matter is still pending before it. Therefore, no decision should be taken by this House or Parliament on this issue to trample on the rights of tribals”.