State to celebrate Telangana state’s 10th anniversary

Hyderabad: The state Cabinet has decided to hold the 10th anniversary celebrations of Telangana state formation on a grand note on June 2 and will invite former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who granted statehood to Telangana in 2014, fulfilling the six-decade long dream of the people, to the celebrations. Those who played a key role in Telangana agitation will also be felicitated on the occasion.

Former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will also be invited for the celebrations.

The Cabinet has also decided to seek the Election Commission’s permission to hold state formation day celebrations since election code will be in force in the state till June 4.

The Cabinet which met for nearly four hours deliberated at length on the ongoing paddy procurement process, commencement of new academic year, beefing up infrastructure facilities in government schools at a cost of `600 crore before schools open for new academic year on June 12 and also on the report submitted by National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) on the damaged Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages of Kaleshwaram project.

Briefing the media about the decisions taken by the Cabinet at Secretariat on Monday, I&PR and revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka moved a resolution seeking approval for inviting Sonia Gandhi which was unanimously approved.

He said the people of Telangana state dreamt and fought for statehood for six decades but it was Congress and Sonia Gandhi which made this dream a reality in 2014. "Sonia Gandhi's presence will make 10th anniversary celebrations of Telangana state formation complete and meaningful. Sonia Gandhi promised to grant statehood and fulfilled it braving all odds. All those who played a key role in statehood agitation will also be invited and felicitated on the occasion," Srinivas Reddy said.

When media persons asked whether the government would also invite former Chandrashekar Rao for celebrations, minister Sridhar Babu said, "We will invite all. We don't have any inhibitions."

Asked about the previous BRS government already holding decennial celebrations of Telangana state formation for 21 days from June 2 to 22 last year, Ponguleti said, "Everyone knows why the BRS celebrated 10th state formation day celebrations last year. It was to gain political mileage in Assembly elections last year. In fact, Telangana state will complete 10 years on June 2 this year and not last year."