KCR unfazed by land row

The Chief Minister is determined to go ahead with his ambitious plan of providing 2 BHK flats for slum-dwellers

May 31, 2015 12:36 pm | Updated 12:36 pm IST - HYDERABAD:

Unperturbed by the uproar on acquiring university and government land for the construction of 2 BHK flats, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has asserted that the TRS government will take land which is surplus and unutilised for the housing programme.

“A huge chunk of land was allocated under the pretext of clubs, where people drink and play cards. We have land available for Golf Courses and Race Courses. We have land to allocate for all these things but the government had no heart to allocate land for housing for weaker sections,” Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao said during an interview to The Hindu .

He reiterated his reservation on universities owning huge stretch of lands. “The Agricultural University has 5,000 acres, Hyderabad Central University has 1,600 acres and six acres is available with the health department in Ameerpet,” he said.

The Chief Minister said his government had identified surplus land for constructing houses for the weaker sections. “I said we will take a piece of land from the Central University, Agriculture University and if required, Osmania University also,” Mr. Rao pointed out, accusing the Opposition parties and some vested interests of provoking students of Osmania University.

“It is not that the government will take the land of Osmania University alone. We will take land from wherever it is surplus or unutilised,” he said.

The Chief Minister maintained that any sensible government or civil society of Hyderabad should realise the need for sensitisation of urban land utilisation. “The issue is mind-boggling. Land will never grow. However, our needs and the population will definitely grow. If we do not organise land utility in a scientific and perfect manner, all will be lost,” he observed.

13 lakh 2 BHK flats this year

The dream of owning a modest dwelling for slum-dwellers will fructify if the Chief Minister’s ambitious plan of providing 2 BHK flats materialises shortly.

In all, 13 lakh flats will be constructed by the government in the first phase in the twin cities and other places in the State. Each flat in the districts will cost about Rs. 5.40 lakh while it would be double the amount in the twin cities.

“I will give 2 BHK flats with 100 per cent subsidy to eligible slum-dwellers There are 2 lakh homeless families in and around Hyderabad, which will benefit from the housing scheme,” he said.

Be proud to call yourself a ‘Hyderabadi’

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had a word of advice for all citizens of the twin cities – be proud to stamp yourself as a ‘Hyderabadi’.

Mr. Rao feels that it is necessary for those living in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad to shed regional feelings. “As people of Mumbai say ‘Amchi Mumbai’ in Marathi and ‘we are Mumbaikars’, ‘we are proud to be Mumbaikars’, I request all those who live in Hyderabad and continued to live here after the bifurcation to be part of Hyderabad. KCR is with you. “Wherever you are, stamp yourself as a Hyderabadi,” he noted.

GHMC polls before December

Reiterating the government’s commitment to conducting the GHMC polls before December, Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao said they had undertaken the delimitation exercise as per the High Court’s direction.

On the party’s prospects, he said it was bound to win and tried to downplay the party not contesting the last GHMC polls. “Last time was a different story. Elections were held in the combined State of Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

When reminded that the party had not done well in the Assembly elections in the twin cities and the constituencies abutting the city, he said it was a fact. “The situation has changed now. Telangana came into being on June 2 and people have understood what it means. After the GHMC polls, we will beat the drums,” he said.

On the poll tie-up with the MIM, Mr. Rao said: “We will work together but so far, no discussion on alliance has taken place. We would like to win the GHMC polls on our own.”

My son, daughter were put to the test during polls: KCR

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has said that it is competence that matters in politics even if somebody is the kith or kin of a top politician.

Asked for his reaction on charges that it was family rule in Telangana now, Mr. Rao said: “One should understand that the whole family was part of the agitation. My son and daughter were enjoying a very good life in U.S. They sacrificed their jobs and came back to India to take active part in the Telangana movement.”

“They too were put under scrutiny. But my son managed to win with over 50,000 votes while my daughter won the election with over 1.50 lakh votes,” he said.

“Acquiring a position is easy but to sustain it is a challenge,” he said.

Denies controversial statement on Ramoji Film City

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said that he never claimed to raze Ramoji Film City with ‘one lakh ploughs’ when the TRS comes to power in Telangana.

In the context of key persons associated with the separate Telangana movement distancing themselves over a period of time, Mr. Rao said: “Fragile elements can be seen everywhere. When NTR founded his party, so many people came very fast and went away equally fast.”

He said the TRS was no exception. Some people have an indifferent approach towards TRS. “People level baseless allegations against us. I never said I would raze Ramoji Film City with ‘one lakh ploughs’. The call was given much before TRS was formed. If people make senseless allegations, what can I say,” he quipped.

‘Will not seek mandate if Water Grid is not complete’

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is determined not to seek a mandate in the 2019 Assembly elections, if his government fails to fulfil its ambitious promise of providing potable safe drinking water to each household.

“You must appreciate the spirit of KCR and the Telangana government. No government in India has made such a promise. No political party will dare to say so. We are committed to the promise of supplying drinking water. We will work hard day and night,” he told The Hindu .

Mr. Rao said his government would supply clean potable water with in-house tap connection. “I am not going to collect money for in-house tap connection. The government will spend the money,” he said adding that people should appreciate the government’s stand. The Chief Minister said any government should be a meaningful government. “If it doesn’t work, it should go,” he said.

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