As expected, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, prime-mover of the statehood movement, stoutly opposed any form of dilution in the process of creating the state and demanded that it should have powers vested with any state as envisaged in the Constitution.
TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao told mediapersons after a presentation to the GoM that any conditions that are sought to be imposed — whether in respect of law and order or any other subject — tantamount to “insulting the people of Telangana and go against the federal structure of the Constitution.”
Terming the GoM’s response to the TRS suggestions “very positive”, Rao felt the Telangana bill would be tabled in the winter session of Parliament. “I will travel to Delhi ahead of the session and call on representatives of all parties seeking their support for the Telangana bill,” he said.
The TRS suggested that the time-frame for a joint capital be reduced to 5 years and Hyderabad should serve only to the extent of providing facility for the residuary state. “In all other respects, Telangana state should be like the 28 states that are already existing,” he said. Sources said Rao emerged out of the meeting with a feeling that the ultimate outcome would be “positive.” He asked the GoM: “Are you redressing the problems of people of Telangana by giving a state or are you trying to address the issues of those responsible for this suffering?” When Rao referred to reports in the media about the conditions on Hyderabad, the ministers are understood to have dismissed them as a figment of imagination.
The TRS chief strongly opposed any joint control over irrigation projects in Telangana unless they are on the border. “They are asking for joint management of Jurala project in Mahboobnagar. Will you agree if I seek joint control over Krishna barrage?”.
Pointing out that the State Secretariat does not have even 10 per cent employees from Telangana, Rao argued against proportionate division of employees and said those who secured jobs in Telangana “illegally” will have to be repatriated.
TRS sources claimed that the GoM assured Rao that “nothing unfair will be done to Telangana” in the process of creating the state.
Source: The New Indian Express