New zone system in Telangana triggers protests

Hyderabad: The new zonal system announced by CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday triggered protests in the neighbouring districts of Hyderabad on Friday. People there wanted their districts to be a part of the zone comprising of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.

In Bhongir, student organisations and political parties held protests demanding their inclusion in the Ranga Reddy district. Protests were witnessed in the Parigi Assembly constituency against its inclusion in the Vikarabad district. People fear losing government job opportunities in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts which have more vacancies.

Congress MLA from Parigi, T. Rammohan Reddy, announced a hunger-strike demanding clubbing of Parigi in Hyderabad-Ranga Reddy zones.

Telangana Jana Samith president Prof. Kodandaram lashed out at the chief minister M for announcing the zones in haste without consultations with the stakeholders. Prof. Kodandaram said “The cabinet sub-committee constituted by the CM had recommended six zones. The CM announced seven zones. The CM should make public the report submitted by the cabinet sub-committee and what prompted him to increase the zones to seven and what was the benchmark adopted to club each district in a particular zone?”

The BJP accused the CM of keeping selfish political interests in mind while announcing the new zones. “KCR had announced new districts in haste in 2016 to suit his political interests. Now, in the same manner, new zones have been announced without consulting anyone. We demand the government consult all political parties and associations of students, youth and employees, on whom the impact of the new zones will be more,” said Dr. K Laxman, President, BJP Telangana unit.