Rights of State .... New Chapter in Center-State Relations : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Rights of State

New Chapter in Center-State Relations

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

On Sunday the 16^th April 2017, when the 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, was passed in the Telangana State Legislative Assembly and Council, it was a historic moment. Simultaneously, yet another historic event has also been unfolded, by way of the firm resolve of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao asserting the rights of the State and opening up a new chapter.

It may not be out of context to recall here, the PM Narendra Modi statement while he was Gujarat CM, on the 2012 Republic Day that the Center's “systematic onslaught on the federal structure” is causing concern. He said then that, “It is high time the Center realizes that giving to the states what rightfully belongs to them will not weaken the Center. The states must co-ordinate with the Union Government and not remain subservient to it. Co-operative and not coercive federalism must be the norm in our country”.

 Perhaps it is with the same courage and fervor CM KCR confessed in more than several words his strategy towards preparing the ground work for getting the approval of the enhanced reservation quota for the Muslim Minorities in the form of BC-E category as well as that of Scheduled Tribes. During his interventions in the Assembly debate, the CM has categorically said that, “I am not going to beg! I am going to fight! I will mention it in the Niti Aayog meeting. I will approach the Apex Court if needed.”

The CM cited the examples of five states in the country, including Tamil Nadu, which are implementing more than 50% quota. He said the Supreme Court has allowed more than 50% quota under special circumstances, which, he claimed, also prevail in Telangana. The “Quantifiable” and “Impeccable” data that has been mentioned by the Apex Court in its judgment for increasing of percentage of reservations by any state is prudently applicable in case of Telangana according to CM.

The CM said, “The Center should also allow the States to take decisions on certain important policy matters like the reservations based on each state’s requirement and population as well as other ground realities. In a vibrant and matured democracy like ours, the Center should allow the State’s to take a call. The situation now prevailing in the country is vastly different from that of 1947 when the country attained independence. We have made our Constitution 70 years ago. Now there is an increase in population, more awareness and more opportunities. People are demanding more and more. If we want our country to progress and move forward, leave the reservations issue to the respective states. When we fought against injustices and discrimination meted out to Telangana everyone supported us. Unity in diversity is our principle. Decisions should be taken accordingly or else there will be clashes and movements”. 

In this context, he mentioned about the SC Categorization issue, which had broad support from the people in the Telangana State. CM said that: “It may not be an issue in UP but in Telangana it is a big issue. Such issues should be left to the each state government to take a decision. The center should respect our decision. Parties may change at the Center but the Central government is a continuous entity. Tamil Nadu Passed the Bill during the UPA regime and NDA were left with no option except to continue with it”.

This move clearly brings to the forefront perhaps CM’s desire to convert the issue of reservation hike for the Muslims into a national debate and if needed to take along with him the national leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav of Samajwadi Party and Mayavathi of the BSP. According to Newspaper reports, midway through the Assembly debate on the bill CM closeted with available TRS Party Parliament Members and asked them to hold preliminary meetings with national leaders and prepare the ground for his meeting with them during his next visit to New Delhi. 

As they saying go, ambition should be made of unyielding substance when it comes to helping the needy. This ambition is in abundance with the CM who has taken an historical decision to come to the rescue of the poor and the neglected sectors in the society. Be it fertiliser subsidy of Rs 4000 per acre, total loan waiver and free power supply to farmers, pensions for the single women, Beedi workers, financial assistance to the pregnant women and KCR Kits to the mother and child, or enhancing the reservation quotas to the BC-E Categories and STs…. All these historical and first of its kind in the country policy decisions have one aim in common, all round happiness and prosperity in the Telangana state and its people.

Bold and commendable leader the CM is, on Sunday he himself has piloted and introduced the historic Bill in the Special Session of the Telangana state Legislature, enhancing the quota for BC-E category from 4% to 12% and ST reservation from 6% to 10%. While the Congress and MIM supported the bill, the BJP opposed it. CM in opening brief said that the quota is being enhanced to fulfill one of the major election promises that his party had made. He said due procedure was followed and would be followed to implement the enhanced quota. KCR also mentioned about the necessity to increase the quota for Scheduled Castes by 1% to take it to 16%, which would in proportionate to the SC population in Telangana. Similarly, he said the quota for the Backward Classes would also be enhanced and the BC Commission has already been assigned the task to conduct a comprehensive study on the socio-economic status of BC communities and come up with recommendations to increase the quota.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence of overcoming all legal hurdles to implement the enhanced quota, which touched 62% as against the 50% ceiling set by the Supreme Court as per judgment in Indira Sahanee’s case.

The BJP’s strategy in the Assembly went awry after the Chief Minister intervened in the Council to read out media reports of Modi’s statement made in BJP’s national executive meeting in Bhubaneswar. “It is sheer good coincidence that the PM’s remark should come when a historic debate is on in the Council. PM Modi talked about the backwardness among the Muslims and he also talked about the inclusive growth. This gives me hope that the Centre accepts out bill,” KCR said and added that the way was now clear after the Prime Minister’s observations. “At least you should support the Bill in the wake of Prime Minister’s remarks,” Rao advised BJP.

In all, the Sunday Special session of the State Legislative Assembly and Council which passed the enhanced quota bill for the BC-E and STs, proved that CM KCR has the political will to implement policies that are beneficial to the people in the State. One of the quotes for a true leader is “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” This amply defines CM KCR. What else can be a proof than a letter written by former minister, famous Kapu community leader Mudragada Padmanabham to CM KCR praising him over the passing of the enhanced quota bill and commending him as the true leader of the people? End 

Friend, Philosopher and Guide Madam Principal Y Padmavathy is no more: Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Friend, Philosopher and Guide

Madam Principal Y Padmavathy is no more

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Madam Principal Y Padmavathy is no more with us. She passed away on first of August 2016 when she was about to complete 90 years in few months. She was Principal of BHEL Higher Secondary School in Ramachandrapuram, Hyderabad when I worked there as Librarian. She was for a long period Vice-Chairperson of Andhra Mahila Sabha of Durgabai Deshmukh. She was also the Chair-Person of Obulreddy Public School in Jubilee Hills Hyderabad. Padmavathy was a postgraduate in English Literature from Madras University.

I had the opportunity to attend her 86^th Birthday – Sahasra Chandra Darshanam-function held in IAS officer’s club premises organized by her son Bhaskar (Former Principal Secretary Finance AP) four years ago.        

While in Niagara (USA) through Facebook I heard the news of Madam’s death and was shocked for a while. Couple of weeks before leaving for USA I spoke to Madam over phone. The last time I met her was in the third week of December 2015 to give an invitation card to attend the Ayuta Chandi Yagam performed by CM Telangana. That day morning Madam called me over phone and enquired about the Yagam and invitations and that way I had an opportunity to meet her. Earlier, immediately after I joined as CPRO to Chief Minister Telangana, I called on her along with my wife and took her blessings. This is a normal practice that I have been following for over three decades. Any good news of mine I used to share with her first and take her blessings. She always treated me as one of her children.

Madam’s son Dr Shankar called me on my old number to inform me about Madam’s indisposition and about her remembering me couple of days before death. I could not take the call as I left the phone at home and went to Niagara. As soon as I returned and when I called back him I was informed of this.

I have ample reminiscences of her to share with all those who know her.

It was in May 1974 I first had an opportunity to meet her when I had been to BHEL Higher Secondary School (BHEL HSS) to attend interview for Librarian Post in the school. I just then completed my Bachelor of Library Science (BLSc) course in Osmania University and yet to appear for examinations. Among the 12 candidates appeared for interview I was only one who did not take the degree yet. However interview members consisting of Late Akella Achyuta Ramam (the then Financial Advisor and Chief Accounts Officer BHEL and Chairman BHEL HSS Committee) and Madam Padmavathy (Principal BHEL HSS) selected me for the post and offered in a lower position than the advertised position. They however assured me that on my obtaining BLSc degree I would be upgraded which they did later. I joined BHEL HSS on first July 1974 and worked for nearly 12 years till January 1986 when I joined in Raj Bhavan. However with Madam Padmavathy as Principal I worked for about ten years and after her leaving the school I had no inclination to continue.

The BHEL HSS was probably the best of its kind anywhere in the country. The way Madam Padmavathy administered, controlled and handled the school maters and shaped it was exceptional and unheard anywhere. She was Friend, Philosopher and Guide to both students and staff. The top BHEL management under whose control the school runs were highly reverential to Madam and were in a way afraid of her also. They gave her full independence and autonomy in running the school.

Year after year the school achieved cent percent results with more than 95% passing with distinctions and the rest in first division. In every curricular and extra-curricular activity the school topped higher ranks whenever it competed with other similar schools. The annual sports and the annual arts, crafts and science events are memorable ones involving the entire school both staff and students equally. Every year couple of students used to get selection in to National Defense Academy (NDA) and in large numbers in to Medicine and Engineering not only within the state but also in prestigious institutions outside the state. Today hundreds of her students occupy a variety of key positions in government and in private sectors not to speak of some of them occupying politically important positions. The staff who worked with her also moved in to higher positions couple of them as Principals and others in to other key positions.

As Librarian my duty was to manage the school library-issue of books and receive them after they finish reading-besides classification and cataloguing of books. But more than my Library Science knowledge I have learnt practical knowledge of Library from Madam Principal. The various types of reference service that I learnt were more from her. Madam Padmavathy was very fond of books, magazines and journals and she was a voracious reader. Seldom have we seen her without a book or a magazine or a journal in her hands if she was not involved in official work. I remember her asking for a fresh and latest issue of some magazine from library everyday during her lunch time. BHEL HSS library was getting all the magazines and important journals of school standards besides number of new additions to book stocks. The books that she allowed me to buy gave me tremendous opportunity to read many of them and make writing attempts which in later part of my life helped me in building my career as a journalist. I am always indebted to madam Principal.

Several times Madam used to correct subtly the English language of many of us particularly those of us who had a regional language medium of instruction background. One instance that I still remember is when I asked her permission to enter her chambers once. I asked her “Madam…can I come”….her reply was “Yes…you can…but you may not!” This taught me when to use words like CAN and MAY.

There were occasions when we differed and differed seriously…but Madam had a large heart. She treated me as her child and set aside my mistakes. The day, when for the first time in BHEL HSS, we formed an Association (Staff Union) much to the anger of Madam, I still remember. I played a key role along with some other senior colleagues like David, Jaganmohan Rao and Nageswar Rao and others. While the process is on during the office hours, I managed to keep Madam in dark ensuring she will not have a clue about this, until the formal formation was completed, so that she would not be able to stall our plans. I even accompanied her that day evening to her house in her car after the school hours and did not reveal a word about it. When she came to know about this after the work was completed, the next day, she was very furious for a while….and of course pardoned me in a short time. She wrote a lengthy letter to my wife narrating the entire activity as childish!

When once I resigned and handed over the resignation letter Madam in her rejection note gave me a two page motherly counsel.

Madam you are great and we miss you forever and ever…..we miss all those get-togethers that we the BHEL HSS staff were having occasionally….we miss all your counsel…and more than anything your towering personality that helped many. End