The Hindu : Front Page : Rayalaseema outfit releases charter of demands

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Rayalaseema outfit releases charter of demands

Special Correspondent

KURNOOL: Rayalaseema Hakkula Ikya Vedika, a non-political outfit fighting for the interests of the region, stepped up its criticism on the fourth anniversary of the body by questioning the very purpose of continuing in the unified State.

Unification of all Telugu-speaking people in the name of linguistic states harmed the interests of the region seriously, president of Vedika and former legislator T.G. Venkatesh said.

The Vedika on Saturday invited leaders from four Rayalaseema districts and parts of Prakasam and Nellore districts. The meeting released a charter of 28 demands and urged political parties supporting Telangana to declare the fate of Rayalaseema in the same tone.

Mr. Venkatesh told the meeting that the Vedika was not against creation of Telangana but the political parties might harm the interests of Rayalaseema in their hurry to please Telangana region.

He said by joining the unified state, Rayalaseema lost an opportunity to get the benefits of Sri Bagh pact which includes Krishna water for Rayalaseema, Capital for the region and a university at Kurnool. The pact was entered into by the leaders of Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra between 1933 and 1935. As part of it, the capital was set up at Kurnool. However, the unified State altered everything and the capital was shifted to Hyderabad.

By losing the capital city status to Hyderabad, Kurnool lost development worth Rs. 1 lakh crore. The parties which are promising Telangana should suitably compensate Rayalaseema, he said.

Another important demand of Vedika was carving of a union territory out of Greater Hyderabad in the event of formation of Telangana. The Vedika demanded reservation of jobs at TTD only for people of Rayalaseema.

Mr. Venkatesh said the TTD funds should be spent only on Rayalaseema. Other important demands include creation of new districts with headquarters at Nandyal, Guntakal, Proddatur, Tirupati and Markapur.

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