The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) is rather disappointed with the Centre as many of the assurances given to the newly formed State have not been fulfilled so far.
“We are rather frustrated with the Centre’s attitude on issues pertaining to Telangana. Nothing positive has been done so far even in respect of the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act”, says B. Vinod Kumar, TRS deputy leader in the Lok Sabha.
Telangana, the 29 State of India, that came into existence on June 2, created a history of sorts when it rejected the Modi wave that swept the country and elected the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), which spearheaded the movement for bifurcation of the State. While the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh was promised with a special status, tax exemptions for setting up industries and liberal financial assistance for constructing a new capital city, Telangana too demanded similar exemptions.
If the Centre’s nonchalance in granting the wishes of the newly formed State is taken with a pinch of salt by the ruling TRS, the relations between the State and the Centre have almost reached a boiling point over two issues - the passing of the Polavaram bill and the special powers sought to be given to the Governor. While the Telangana government had accepted the merger of seven mandals with Andhra Pradesh subsequently, it is still cut up about losing its share of 400 MW of power generated because of this Act.
“We were rather perplexed with the MHA’s directive to the State to grant extraordinary powers to the Governor in maintenance of law and order in the joint capital of Hyderabad. The Home Minister was gracious enough to assure us that the Centre would not infringe on the rights of any state. We have to wait and see what it would do on this count in future”, confides Mr Vinod Kumar.
Another issue that really puzzled the State government was the Centre’s assertion that it would not be able to include some state roads in the list of National Highways as promised in the Reorganisation Act. The wish list of the State government included special category status to Telangna, declaring Pranahita – Chevella project as a national project, tax incentives for industries, 4000 MW power plant to Telangana, separate High Court for Andhra Pradesh, assistance for Musi river conservation, setting up a steel plant in Bayyaram, and different railway projects in Telangana. Interestingly, there is no progress on all these demands so far, rues Mr Vinod Kumar.
