Interests of all AP regions must be protected, says Pallam Raju
The Union Minister clarifies his stand, says Seemandhra people too need to be represented.
Hyderabad: Union HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju on Friday urged the Central government to protect interests of all regions of the state as the process of bifurcation of the state was in progress.
"The division of Andhra Pradesh is a cause of concern. AP has a prominent place in Indian politics. As the process is going on for bifurcation of the state... It should be seen that justice is done to people of all three regions including Seemandhra and whether it is employees or farmers everybody should get justice," Raju said.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of National Integration Meet-2013 of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti here, he said, "We have already informed the Group of Ministers (GoM) looking into 11 issues related to Andhra Pradesh bifurcation that we are against bifurcation."
When asked on representation of Seemandhra ministers before GoM, Raju, who had earlier submitted his resignation over the issue and protested the CWC decision to create Telangana, said, "though they voiced their stand for united Andhra Pradesh, it sends wrong singals to the people of the state... If we don't represent (Seemandhra people) at this 'juncture'... It may hurt their feelings so we went and represented them before the GoM."
The GoM had recently completed consultations with all stakeholders and is expected to submit a report to the Union Cabinet as early as possible.
Raju further said, "After the Centre decided to divide the state, the process is going on expeditiously (for formation of Telangana) and the pace has surprised us. But we are repeatedly telling them that interests of all regions should be protected and justice be done to all people."
"They (student and employee) should not feel that they are sidelined and the GoM should keep in mind their interests and move forward," he said noting a state can be divided but people should not be divided.
Replying to queries, he said the HRD ministry is taking measures to strengthen Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya scools.
He assured to address the problems of the Navodaya Vidyalaya employees saying the ministry and the government is aware of their problems and he will look into their issues including on pension demand.