The Telangana Democratic Forum has questioned the rationale behind Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s decision to dismantle the existing Secretariat complex as well as the Errum Manzil palace recognized as heritage structure.
The Forum sought the intervention of Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan in prevailing upon the State government to desist from its moves.
A delegation of members of the Forum and G. Venkataswamy Foundation called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Monday and urged him to protect the buildings and “avoid wastage of huge public money” in the name of construction of new secretariat complex.
The delegation, led by G. Venkataswamy Foundation founder and former member of Parliament G. Vivek, comprised senior Congress leaders K. Jana Reddy, T. Jeevan Reddy, A. Revanth Reddy and Mohd. Ali Shabbir, Ch. Ramachandra Reddy and D. K. Aruna of the BJP, T-TDP president L. V. Ramana, Telangana Jana Samiti president M. Kodandaram, Chada Venkat Reddy (CPI), social activist P.L. Vishweshwar Rao and others.
Speaking to reporters later, Mr. Vivek alleged that the government was indulging in wastage of public money through its unilateral decisions.
The Governor was the custodian of the properties within the GHMC limits according to the Reorganisation Act and the delegation had therefore requested him to ensure the security of the secretariat complex as well as the heritage buildings.
Mr. Kodandaram Ram said the existing buildings in the secretariat complex could sustain for more than 70 years but the Chief Minister had decided to dismantle the existing complex. At a time when the government was unable to reimburse the medical bills, efforts were being made to impose huge burden on the exchequer in the name of construction of the new buildings.
Cases in High Court
Mr. Jana Reddy said the delegation was hopeful that the Governor would take the initiative in convincing the State government against demolition of the existing complex. Mr. Vishweshwar Rao recalled that the High Court was dealing with 17 public interest litigations filed against the government’s decision and it had suggested that the structures should not be touched till all the petitions were adjudicated.
