HYDERABAD: Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao called on prime minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday and sought a financial assistance of Rs 20,000 crore from the Centre to the state government’s prestigious Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS).
During his 50-minute interaction, Rao discussed ten pending subjects and submitted as many memorandums to Modi.
While explaining the progress of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme and its importance for Telangana, the chief minister urged Modi to give central financial assistance to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore for KLIS. “We are constructing KLIS at an estimated cost of Rs 80,000 crore for providing irrigation water to 18 lakh acres of new ayacut in 20 districts. We have allocated Rs 25,000 crore funds in the state budget, besides borrowing another Rs 22,000 crore. We still require more funds for completing KLIS,”the told Modi with a request for a Rs 20,000-crore central assistance. The other pending issues taken up by the chief minister with the prime minister are as follows:
Zonal system
We have reorganised the existing zonal system due to the reorganisation of new districts. The Presidential Order needs to be amended for the new zonal system.
HC division
The division of High Court between AP and TS is still pending. AP people too are demanding a separate HC at Amaravati. Telangana people and advocates are demanding immediate bifurcation of HC. Of the 29 HC judges, only six are from Telangana. The judges should be in the ratio of 60:40 from AP and TS respectively. But, it is not implemented. The prime minister should intervene and see that the HC is bifurcated immediately.
Railway lines
The railway lines in Telangana are very few and less than the national average. Thus, the new state requires new railway lines. The state government acquired land for the Manoharabad-Kottapalli railway line. Ensure that this railway line is completed immediately. The land acquisition for Akkannapet-Medak railway line is almost complete. Complete this line. Also take up construction of Bhadrachalam-Sattupalli railway line. There is a need for a third electrified line between Khazipet and Vijayawada.
A third railway line between Raghavapuram and Mandamarri, a broad-gauge line between Armoor and Adilabad via Nirmal, a double line between Secunderabad and Mahbubnagar, and Secunderabad and Zaheerabad, and a new railway line between Khazipetand Karimagar are also required. Orders
for conducting surveys on these lines are needed.
New Secretariat
The state has sought the Bison Polo Ground land for constructing a new building for the State Secretariat. We sought the land from the defence ministry. Transfer the land to Telangana state for constructing a new Secretariat building. The defence ministry agreed to hand over its land for the expansion of National Highway No. 44.
Pending funds
As per the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, the Centre has to release `50 crore each to nine backward districts. TS has to get `450 crore every year. But, the state is yet to receive the fourth instalment of these funds for 2017-18. Release the funds.
IIM
Sanction one Indian Institute of Management (IIM) for Telangana.
ITIR
There were reports quoting Union IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad that the Centre withdrew the proposal for Information Technology Investment Region. If the Centre drops ITIR, the credibility of the Centre will be at stake.
IIIT in Karimnagar
The state government is ready to allot land and provide basic amenities for setting up a IIIT in Karimnagar. The state government’s aim is to provide technical education to students in cities other than Hyderabad. There are several technical educational institutions in Hyderabad and an NIT in Warangal. If IIIT is granted for Karimangar, it will be helpful in taking educational institutions to district headquarters.