Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said the Centre has given ‘in principle’ approval to handover Bison Polo Ground behind Gymkhana Grounds here to the State Government.
It was proposed for the construction of Telangana legislature, secretariat and a cultural centre in the name of Telangana Kala Bharati.
Mr. Rao denied that the State Government had claimed the Parade Ground for the three premises and said that he would himself not want it in the interest of morning walkers and youth who wanted to play cricket. Moreover, there was a memorial for soldiers who laid down their lives at the call of duty.
He said that a false perception was generated that the Government had sought from the Defence Ministry allocation of Parade Ground. The fact was that the Government wanted about 55 acres of land belonging to the Bison Polo Ground on the other side of the road adjoining Parade Ground because it was of no use to the Army.
The Government felt that an iconic look could be created by constructing the Assembly, legislature and cultural centre at the site. Parade by personnel of uniformed services in their midst would enhance the image.
He lashed out at criticism that the Government was trying to enter into real estate business by selling out land where the present secretariat was situated.
