CM KCR seeks PM Modi intervention to expedite pending subjects : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

           

CM KCR seeks PM Modi intervention 

to expedite pending subjects

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao 

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao in an hour-long meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 4^th August 2018, brought to his notice as many as eleven issues that are of greatest importance to the state and pending since long with centre and sought his intervention.

These include: Reservations in favour of SC/ST/BCs, amending the Presidential Order on Zonal system, Separate High Court for Telangana, Grant of ₹20,000/- crores for Kaleshwaram Project, Early completion on a priority basis the Railway Projects, Transfer of defence lands to the State Government for construction of new Secretariat building, Development of Backward Areas, Establishment of Indian Institute of Management, Sanction of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Sanctioning Indian Institute of Information Technology and Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) scheme.

Chief Minister on all these pending issues handed over letters giving the details and the need for PM intervention for early approvals and clearances.

With reference to reservations to SC, ST and BC issue CM, briefing PM he said that, post bifurcation, proportion of weaker sections population has increased. Giving details CM said that, share of STs in Telangana has increased from 7.11% in undivided Andhra Pradesh to 9.08%, population of Muslims increased from 9.56% to 12.68% and proportion of Backward Communities population has increased to over 50% of the total population. Therefore, there arose a need to relook at the percentage of reservations in favour of SC/ST/BC in the State.

CM referred to recommendation of Telangana State Commission for Backward Classes in its report, about the enhancement of the percentage of reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes under BC-E Group from the existing 4% to 12%. Quoting the judgement of Supreme Court capping the reservations at 50%, CM referred to its clarification also, that, if it should exceed 50%, the State shall make out a case showing compelling circumstances for exceeding the limit. CM mentioned that Tamil Nadu is providing 69% reservation in the State.

Continuing further CM said that, a Bill titled “Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of seats in Educational Institutions and of appointments or posts in the services under the State) Bill 2017” to provide reservations of seats in Educational institutions in the State and of appointments or posts in the services under the State for the Backward Classes citizens and for persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the State of Telangana has  been passed by the State Legislature on April 16, 2017. CM said that the Governor of Telangana has reserved the Bill for President’s assent, which is pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs from April 2017. Against this backdrop the CM requested PM to instruct Ministry of Home Affairs to expedite the process and accord President’s assent early.

With reference to amending the Presidential Order on Zonal system, in his letter CM mentioned that, in accordance with Reorganization Act 2014, the provisions made under Article 371-D have been continued in the State of Telangana to provide equitable opportunities to the people belonging to different parts of the State. CM said that the Presidential Order which was operational in the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh provided for 6 zones. After bifurcation, the zones V and VI are within the state of Telangana, while other zones are in the successor state of Andhra Pradesh.

In order to take administration closer to the people, Telangana State Government had reorganized the erstwhile 10 districts into 31 districts on October 11, 2016. In the back drop of formation of new state with 31 districts, there is a need to issue a fresh Presidential Order adjusting zones, multi-zones and State cadre etc., under section 371-D of the Constitution of India. CM said that he made a request to Union Home Minister to approve the Presidential Order, as required by the State of Telangana and requested PM that suitable direction to be issued to the Ministry of Home Affairs to amend the Presidential Order early.

Making a strong case for separate High Court for Telangana CM in his letter said that the long-cherished dream of Telangana remains unfulfilled as the Telangana State does not have its own separate High Court. As it was contemplated that The High Court at Hyderabad is to be common High Court for a short period only CM said Telangana should have a separate one.

CM mentioned that, at present out of 29 Hon'ble Judges in the High Court only 6 are from Telangana region.  Union Law Minister has given an assurance on the floor of Parliament to expedite the process to have separate High Court.  However, except for the fixation of the strength of the Judges of the common High Court at Hyderabad in the ratio of   60: 40 between the States of AP and Telangana, there is no further development in this matter. CM requested PM to expedite the process and the Law Ministry may be directed to take immediate steps for establishment of separate High Court for the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh without any further delay.

CM had requested for a grant of Rs 20,000/- crores for Kaleshwaram Project. Expressing his gratitude to PM for according all required statutory clearances by the Government of India in a shortest possible time, CM impressed upon PM that Kaleshwaram Project on Godavari river on completion is going to be the life line of Telangana. CM in his letter wrote that, Kaleshwaram Project, an engineering marble making every Indian proud of Telangana’s techno-managerial capabilities, in addition to providing drinking water and industrial water would irrigate over 18 lakh acres land in 20 districts of Telangana.

CM said that the total project is Rs 80,000 Crores and so far, spent about Rs 25,000/- crores on it from the finances available with the state government and another Rs 22,000/- crore loan had been tied up with national financial institutions. Since availability of required financial resources will ensure early completion of this project, CM requested PM to arrange a grant of Rs 20,000/- crores from Government of India.

Describing Telangana State as one of the fastest growing states and Railways would play an important role in the further growth of this youngest state, Chief Minister explained how Railway network in Telangana State is below the national average. CM listed out various critical Railway Projects that have been identified by Indian Railways and also jointly by Government of Telangana State and Indian Railways and also the need to expedite projects, both under execution and to be started.

Among the ongoing projects are: Manoharabad – Kotthapalli (New BG Line), Akkannapet – Medak (New BG Line) and Bhadrachalam Road – Sattupalli (New BG Line). Among the pending projects are: Kazipet – Vijayawada (3^rd line with electrification) and Armor – Nirmal – Adilabad (New BG Line). The pending projects at survey stage listed out by CM are: Doubling of Track – Secunderabad to Mahbubnagar, Doubling of Track – Secunderabad to Zaheerabad and Laying of new Railway line connecting Kazipet (SCR) and Karimnagar (SCR) via Huzurabad.

Referring to the transfer of defence lands to the State Government for construction of new Secretariat building CM reminded about the request the state government made to centre about transfer of Bison/Polo grounds and Gymkhana grounds in Secunderabad to the State Government as well as for Strategic Road Development Projects (NH 44 and SH 1) and also transfer of 7.58 acres of defence land (net area) for construction of six lane alternative road proposed in lieu of Gough Road. 

CM said that after several rounds of consultations with all the stake holders in the Ministry of Defence and keeping in view the need for expanding road network on account of increase in population and traffic, the Ministry of Defence has conveyed it's "in principle approval" for transfer of the defence lands. However, said CM that, they have imposed an unreasonable condition of payment of Rs.31.20 Crores every year by the State Government to the Cantonment Board.

CM made it clear that when government is willing to exchange the lands and pay the differential cost of the land as a onetime measure, the question of annual payment should not arise and accordingly requested the Ministry of Defence to revise the above condition, and the matter is still pending with them since August 2017. CM requested PM to instruct the Ministry of Defence to expedite the proposal of transfer of defence lands to Telangana State.

On the subject of development of Backward Areas, CM KCR in his letter mentioned that Telangana has submitted a proposal seeking assistance for the development of Backward Areas. In response said CM that the Government of India has released three instalments of Special Assistance Grant of Rs.450 crores @ Rs.50 Crore for District for development of 9 Backward Districts of Telangana based on recommendations made by NITI Aayog. CM requested the PM to expedite release of 4th Instalment pertaining to 2017-18 which is pending with the Ministry of Finance.

With reference to establishment of Indian Institute of Management CM KCR requested PM that the HRD Ministry may be directed to initiate steps for sanctioning of IIM and proceed with the process of starting the Institute in the existing infrastructure from the current academic year itself as the State Government has already identified required suitable land.

CM also requested for sanctioning Indian Institute of Information Technology in Karimnagar which is most deserving place to establish IIIT under the PPP model of the Ministry of HRD. CM assured that the State Government would provide the required land and also contribute its share of funding as envisaged in the PPP model.

On Sanction of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas CM in his letter mentioned that, Government of Telangana has reorganized the districts increasing the number to 30 in rural areas in the year 2016 to make the governance more responsive to the needs and aspirations of the population.  He explained that upon the district reorganisation, only 9 districts are having Navodaya Vidyalayas and the remaining 21 districts do not have them. CM hence requested to sanction 21 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas to cover each of the Districts.

CM further said that Hyderabad has been selected under the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) scheme by the Government of India in 2013 for which a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was submitted. At a time some anchor companies have already started setting up industries, said CM, that to his dismay, he read a news report recently that Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Information Technology, that the government dropped the ITIR Scheme.  CM said dropping like this will dent the credibility of the Government.  CM requested PM that this matter may be reviewed, and adequate funds sanctioned to the state to develop the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) in Hyderabad, as per the already approved scheme.