HYDERABAD: Leaders of almost all opposition parties sought clarity on several of the issues in the governor’s address to the joint session of Telangana Legislative Assembly and Council during the debate on the motion of thanks to the governor’s address in the Assembly on Thursday.
TDP floor leader Errabelli Dayakar Rao sought clarity on loan waiver of Rs 1 lakh to farmers as promised in the TRS election manifesto. He said contradictory statements issued by the ministers and party leaders were creating confusion who were taking to streets.
He also wanted the government to explain as to how it proposed to implement the mandatory free education from KG to PG as promised. ‘’What are the modalities of the scheme and when it will be implemented?’’ he asked. He also sought clarity on implementation of houses to the poor. He said his party would cooperate with the government in getting national status for the Pranahita-Chevella project and wanted the government to spell out its action plan for completing of various pending irrigation projects.
YSRC floor leader T Venkateswarlu, expressing happiness over TRS’ promise of implementing 12 pc reservation to tribals, urged the government to set up the proposed tribal university in Khammam district. He also urged the government to take steps for improving the growth rate of agriculture as well as industries in Khammam district. ‘’The government should also come out clear on how it proposes to recruit for Group-1, Group-1, teacher,’’ he said.
Congratulating the TRS on getting absolute majority in spite of the Modi wave, BJP floor leader K Lakshman said the TRS government had to measure up to the expectations of the people. ‘’Great responsibility rests on you. We will, in every possible manner, cooperate with you and also correct you whenever you are deviating from your path,’’ he said. When he compared his party’s five MLAs with Pandavas who personified Dharma, there was some objection from the treasury but he was quick to say that he did not call anyone Kauravas.
The BJP member said the governor’s speech failed to project any action plan as to the implementation of the bunch of promises made in his speech. ‘’We know the state is just born and the government has just taken over but the time will not wait for us. Already, the Medical Council of India is planning to cancel 400 medical seats, including 150, at Gandhi Medical College. It needs to be dealt with on priority basis. How can the promises for better medical care with improved infrastructure be made if there is shortage of doctors?’’ he asked.
Referring to 68 pc literacy rate in the state, he asked the government to spell out how it proposes to implement the KG-to-PG free compulsory education with CBSE standards. ‘’More than 30,000 schools are lacking basic infrastructure,’’ he said while seeking clarity on free reimbursement backlog as already college managements are gearing up to send notices to the students.
He also sought clarity on modalities for revival of sick industries as promised and government’s policy on protect of Singareni coals. Though he weclomed 12 pc reservation for tribals, he objected to 12 pc reservation for minorities, terming it as unconstitutional.
Pasha Quadri of MIM said that if there was any section of society that was rendered injustice in the last several decades it was Muslims. “They are backward in almost every field as attested by the Ranganath Mishra and Sachar committees,” Pasha said and expressed his happiness over TRS government’s commitment to spend Rs 1 lakh crore on the welfare of SCs, STs, BCs and minorities in five years. Welcoming its promise of 12 pc reservation to minorities, he wanted it to be made foolproof and ensure that it faces no legal problems. Quadir stressed need for promotion of Urdu language, improvement of living standards of poor Muslims in the old city.