DC debate: Telangana bill empty promises?

Empty promises

D. Purandeswari, Minister of state for commerce

I have tried relentlessly to keep the state of Andhra Pradesh united by representing on many occasions the challenges and issues that would arise out of the bifurcation.

Resenting the manner in which the bifurcation was done, without even discussing the Srikrishna Committee report with us and not taking us into confidence, I had submitted my resignation to the Council of Ministers. But despite these, we were forced to brave the mudslinging by NGOs, common people, media and everyone else.

All the humiliation that I had to undergo would have been a pleasure, had the draft Bill that was accepted by the Cabinet had something substantial to give to the residual state of Andhra Pradesh. But unfortunately the Bill has only empty promises to make.

Let me illustrate a few. On Polavaram, I had submitted a note to the GoM, explaining the importance of the project. This project will be the lifeline of the residual state, if it is to be completed.

The project will remain a nonstarter if the areas subjected to submergence are to remain in the new state of Telangana. What commitment can be expected from the new state of Telangana, when the submergence is not to their benefit?

This is despite the GOI taking complete responsibility of constructing Polavaram. Let us not forget that there are cases already pending and environment clearances yet to come to complete the project.

Our Constitution does not provide for a common capital. How would it be feasible for the Chief Minister to govern his state from another state? This would be of great humiliation for not only the Chief Minister but also the people of Andhra Pradesh.

This was the reason why we requested that Hyderabad be made a Union Territory for 10 years or until such time we construct our capital, whichever is earliest.

Keeping law and order in the Governor’s jurisdiction, with a couple of advisors to assist him from GOI, will also not protect the interests of the migrant population as he would be taking decisions in consultation with the Telangana Council of Ministers. This will not ensure psychological and physical protection to our people.

Education and employment opportunities are very crucial for the future of the children in our region. Even for continuing the existing quotas in government and private aided and private unaided institutions for 10 years, how would these quotes be protected?

Similarly the Indian Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Management, National Institute of Technology, IISER, Central University, Agricultural University and IIIT, which have been magnanimously given to the residual state of Andhra Pradesh, would be established in the 12th and 13th plan periods. We know for a fact that institutions of national importance should have been provided for even before the plan period commences.

The 12th plan period is between the years 2012 to 2016. None of these institutions are provided for in the 12th plan period and we know that allocations to MHRD have been subjected to a resource cut to a tune of '4,000 crore. So how will these institutions be supported immediately?

Turning to employment, I had requested the establishment of a green field refinery (crude oil) in the already existing petro-chemical corridor, for which land acquisition has already been done, with the hope that this would be the anchor industry, which would facilitate downstream industries to come, thereby improving employment opportunities for our children.

The Bill does speak of providing for an IOC or Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited crude oil refinery; it speaks of establishment a Vizag-Chennai industrial corridor, it speaks of expanding Vizag, Vijayawada, and Tirupati airports.

But sadly, all of these provisions are preceded with the prefix ‘shall examine the feasibility’.

Next: Bill okay, need more

Bill okay, need more

K.T. Rama Rao, TRS legislator

While we are happy that the Telangana people’s long drawn struggle has been recognised by the government of India in the form of announcing statehood to Telangana, we have strong reservations about certain issues.

Special powers of Governor: The Governor of Telangana is proposed to be given overriding powers on the issues of law and order, internal security and security of vital installations in GHMC, the common capital area.

The powers proposed to be given to the Governor undermine the authority of the Council of Ministers and may create rifts between the governor and the government. When there is a democratically elected government at the helm of affairs of the new state of Telangana, it is not appropriate to undermine its authority and infringe on its powers.

River water & irrigation: The draft Bill has proposed creation of management boards for the inter-state rivers Godavari and Krishna. We are of the strong opinion that these boards should only be confined to overseeing implementation of allotted waters as per previous awards but should not assume the responsibility for day-to-day management, maintenance and operations as this will result in an unworkable system with micro management and will lead to cumbersome delay especially in implementation of new irrigation projects.

Government employees: It has been proposed to allot state government employees based on their choice and wherever they are working. But large numbers of Seemandhra persons were recruited and employed in government jobs in contravention of rules and regulations such as Mulki Rules, Six-point Formula etc.

Further, many employees belonging to Seemandhra area have been brought on deputation to Telangana, who are now proposed to be regularised as belonging to the successor state of Telangana. In order to rectify these deficiencies and anomalies, it is suggested to repatriate all those employees who were recruited and posted in contravention of government rules and create super-numerary positions as required.

Public Debt: Outs-tanding public debt and other liabilities are sought to be apportioned on the basis of population. This, in fact, must be based upon project specific outcomes. As ownership of projects would transfer to the respective states, the outstanding debt raised or guarantee offered should also migrate accordingly.

Since the inception of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, based on outcomes, the overall share of Telangana is around 29 per cent. This should form the basis of Telangana’s share of the total public debt and not 42 per cent as suggested in the Cabinet resolution.

Pensioners: In the draft Bill it has been proposed to apportion the existing pension liability of the state of Andhra Pradesh between the successor states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, on the basis of population ratio.

In contravention of Gentlemen’s Agreement, Mulki Rules and Six-point formula, a large number of Seemandhra persons were employed in Telangana area by denying job opportunities to locals.

Further, the employment ratio in Andhra region, prior to the merger in 1956, was much more than that in the Telangana area. So a large number of retired employees belong to the successor state of Andhra Pradesh. Hence it is suggested that the existing liability be divided on the basis of nativity.

Higher education: In order to ensure equal opportunities for higher education to all students in the successor states, it has been proposed to continue the existing admission quotas in all government and private institutions of higher, technical and medical education for a period of 10 years.

If this is allowed then what does the youth of Telangana expect from the new state of Telangana? It’ll be in the interest of the student communities of both states if the Centre can expedite the process and commence operations of the proposed higher education institutes in the residuary state of AP from next academic year.