Telangana CM KCR meets PM Modi: Seeks nod for quota Bill, land for new secretariat

In his second meeting with Modi in less than two months, KCR discussed various pending issues relating to the state.

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Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and sought the President's assent for a bill, enhancing quantum of reservation for BCs, SCs and STs.

In his second meeting with Modi in less than two months, KCR discussed various pending issues relating to the state.

He sought the President's assent to the bill for increasing quantum of reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for backward classes, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

The bill passed by the state legislature last year was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for President's assent.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's office in Hyderabad, during the hour-long meeting Rao discussed 11 issues and submitted letters pertaining to them.

KCR, as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief is popularly known, told the prime minister that the need to increase the percentage of reservations for SCs, STs and BCs arose as the proportion of the population of these sections increased consequent to the formation of Telangana State.

Under the bill passed by the state legislature, quota for STs was increased to 10 percent from the existing 6 percent, while that for BC-E category (the backward sections among the Muslim community) increased to 12 percent from the existing 4 percent. The total reservations in the state, consequently, will go up to 62 percent from the existing 50 percent.

KCR brought to Modi's notice that while capping the total quantum of reservations at 50 percent, the Supreme Court had also clarified that, if it should exceed 50 percent, the State shall make out a case showing compelling circumstances for exceeding the limit. He pointed out that Tamil Nadu is providing 69% reservation in the State.

The TRS chief also sought the Centre's approval for new zonal system in Telangana pertaining to the government employment in the state. He called for immediate steps to amend the Presidential Order of 1975 to facilitate implementation of the new zonal system created keeping in view the requirements of the new state.

As the issue of separate High Court is pending since creation of Telangana in 2014, KCR urged the prime minister to expedite the process. He sought immediate steps for establishing a high court in residuary state of Andhra Pradesh so that the High Court at Hyderabad exclusively caters to the needs of Telangana.

KCR reiterated the demand for central grant of Rs 20,000 crores for Kaleshwaram Project being built on Godavari river. He said on completion, it would be the life line of Telangana as it is designed to irrigate 18 lakh acres. The total cost of the project if Rs 80,000 crore.

The Chief Minister also took up issues such as early completion of pending railway projects and transfer of defence land in Secunderabad for construction of new Secretariat building.

KCR has been considering the land in Gymkhana Ground and Bison Polo Grounds, for constructing a new Secretariat, Legislature and a cultural centre on the premises. Critics have suggested that the Chief Minister is shifting the building, only to make it 'vastu-compliant'. Further, protesters claim that the move would kill a crucial lung space in Secunderabad. ﻿

Despite being faced with several protests and stiff opposition from activists and citizens, KCR remains uncompromising on his decision.

Funds for development of backward areas, establishment of Indian Institute of Management (IIM), sanctioning Indian Institute of Information Technology at Karimnagar, and funds to develop the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) in Hyderabad as per the already approved scheme were the other key issues taken up by KCR.

IANS inputs