Hyderabad: Stating that the TJAC will keep tabs on government functioning, its chairman M. Kodandaram on Wednesday asserted he will not be cowed down by threats but will stand by the people of the state and take up public issues.
He demanded government to make public Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of all irrigation projects, including Mallannasagar in Medak district, before finalising tenders.
“People of Telangana are strong and committed. The Telangana movement aroused political consciousness. It’s not easy to trample democracy or democratic rights. It is not so easy even if some powers may desire so,” he said.
The TJAC steering committee which met here on Wednesday decided to take up public issues from village to state level, organise seminars, roundtable conferences on university, general and technical education, 2013 Land Acquisition Act, rights of persons displaced by irrigation and other projects, problems in opencast mines, fight for reopening of Nizam Sugar Factory, social justice etc and bring pressure on the government to implement electoral promises.
To begin with, Prof Kodandaram announced a seminar in Gajwel Assembly constituency, which is represented by the Chief Minister, on rights of persons displaced due to Mallanna Sagar irrigation project.
“TJAC fought for Telangana. Now it will fight for public welfare, for SCs, STs, BCs and others. Since TJAC exists, there is strong reaction to my comments on the two-year rule of the TRS. My dictionary has limited words hence I cannot speak in the language TRS ministers and leaders chose to,” he said.
Prof Kodandaram stood by his comments, saying that education, health and others sectors have been ignored and the poor are still suffering. “Increasing salaries of government staff will not do. They should also get arrears, health cards to journalists and others. I don’t need to take lessons from TRS leaders. We will exert pressure on the government on public issues,” he asserted.
The TJAC chief condemned the involvement of police personnel in checking infrastructure and other facilities in engineering and other professional colleges and asked the government to follow HC orders.
