Rs 1.5 Lakh crore for capital, why can’t Chandrababu Naidu pay fees?

Q: Why is the TRS government modifying the fee reimbursement scheme and what are the reasons for fixing 1956 as the cut-off year for eligibility?

In united Andhra Pradesh, the fee reimbursement scheme was a big scam. Several colleges claimed fees with bogus students and made a lot of money. Since Telangana has been formed now, we want to offer benefits of the scheme only to genuine Telangana students. Now, 1956 is being fixed as the cut-off year to determine nativity since that was the year when Hyderabad state was merged with Andhra. A committee will finalise the modalities to identify the local Telangana students. Every care will be taken to ensure that no genuine T student is denied fee reimbursement.

Q: What about Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu complaining to the governor about the delay in Eamcet counselling due to your decision on fee reimbursement?

That is a cheap political gimmick. In fact, it is Chandrababu Naidu himself who is blocking Eamcet counselling by insisting that the Telangana government pay the fees of Andhra students studying here. Naidu is boasting of building a capital like Singapore with Rs 1.5 lakh crore, then why can’t he bear the fees of their students? It is ridiculous on the part of Chandrababu Naidu to say that students are migrating to other states due to the delay in Eamcet counselling. When a student can afford to study in another state, why will he need fee reimbursement in the first place?

Q: Are you open to talks with Mr Naidu?

I respect Chandrababu Naidu as the chief minister of a neighbouring state. I am open to talks with Chief Minister Raman Singh of Chhattisgarh, so is the case with Siddaramaiah of Karnataka, so is the case with Prithviraj Chavan of Maharashtra and so is the case with Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh. But, on one hand, he says he is open for talks and on the other hand he has been taking unilateral decisions against us. How can he cancel Power Purchase Agreements unilaterally? He must remember that Telangana needs Andhra Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh needs Telangana.

Q: You are talking about reclaiming encroached Wakf lands on which Lanco stands, but companies such as Infosys, Microsoft also stand on Wakf land.

There is a difference between Lanco and other allotments. The land allotment to Lanco, under the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh government, was a big scam. But in the case of Microsoft, land was allotted by the government to set up the software industry, which helped propel the economy and provide employment. Lanco can’t escape under the guise of being a company, which helped the economy. We will take legal action against Lanco and collect penalties.

Q: What about the welfare schemes launched by the united AP government. Will they be continued?

All those schemes are nothing but scams. The number of beneficiaries of these schemes surpassed the total population in the state by many times. It clearly shows those schemes are fraud. Now we want to streamline them so that they reach the real beneficiaries.

Q: How do you want to develop Hyderabad as a global city?

Hyderabad is the heart of Telangana. We want to enhance its brand image globally to give further impetus to the economy and attract more global firms to create more employment opportunities. We will engage reputed international consultants to give suggestions on enhancing the brand image of Hyderabad. We will also draft a new master plan for the overall development of the city. Earlier government heads talked about having built Hitec City and developing Hyderabad into a global city but there is water logging near the Assembly, near the CM office, near the Secretariat even during small drizzles. Cars turn into boats in Hyderabad with just a brief spell of rain.

Q: Is the government targeting any specific section of people in the demolition of illegal buildings?

We don’t have any grudge against anyone. We want to have a well-regulated and disciplined city. Over the years, thousands of illegal structures have sprouted in the city. There are thousands near the Assembly and Secretariat. Earlier government ignored these and even issued power and water connections to illegal constructions. Authorities say they didn’t have the backing to crackdown on them. But, we will not leave even an inch of government land to encroachments. We will recover all Wakf, endowments and Bhoodhan lands at any cost. Serious action will be taken against encroachers.

Q: What are the steps being taken to maintain law and order in the city?

There is and there will be no compromise on law and order. Be it residential areas, commercial areas, parks or institutions, every inch of the city will be mapped. Thousands of CCTV cameras will be set up which will be monitored by the police. Gambling dens have mushroomed in every nook and corner of the city. I have personally directed the DGP to crack down on those clubs.

Q: What is your take on the Centre’s proposal giving powers to the governor on law and order in the common capital area?

This is completely unconstitutional. We will not tolerate this under any circumstances. We will explore all options so that such a proposal doesn’t materialise. If the situation demands, I will even convene a meeting of all chief ministers and make sure a resolution is adopted against such moves. It is an infringement on the state government’s rights. Law and order is a state subject.

Q: What about institutions listed in Schedule IX, will they be continued in the present form?

They will be continued but under the name of Telangana. I have already asked officials to change the name of those institutions from Andhra Pradesh to Telangana.