New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS): A broad consensus in Andhra Pradesh will be needed before a final decision on a separate state of Telangana is taken, the Rajya Sabha was informed Wednesday.

"The government takes a decision on the matter of formation of new states after taking into consideration all relevant factors. No definite timeframe can be indicated at this stage," Minister of State for Home Affairs Jitendra Singh said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

"The creation of any new state has wide ramifications and direct bearing on the federal polity of the country. The centre moves in such matter only when there is a broad consensus in the parent state," he said.

The minister said the Srikrishna Committee, formed last year to review various issues and methods for formation of Telangana, submitted a report last December.

The committee in its over 500-page report had given several options for division of the three regions of Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana.