Kishan’s tactics pay-off: TSRTC to release 500 buses for Hyd Liberation Day fete
HYDERABAD: The persuasive tactics of Union tourism minister G. Kishan Reddy and his veiled threat seem to have worked as TSRTC officials on Tuesday agreed to provide 500 buses for the Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations on September 17.
This comes as a significant change as earlier the corporation had refused to oblige when the minister had sought buses for the event on the pretext that ‘the state government has booked all available buses for the Hyderabad state integrity day celebrations at NTR stadium, also slated for the same day’.
Reddy insisted on a written reply from the corporation officials on the non-availability of buses. He also hinted at a protest in front of Bus Bhavan against the highhandedness of TSRTC officials.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, TSRTC greater Hyderabad zone executive director Yadagiri said that 102 buses were allotted to the state government for September 17. Charges for the buses are yet to be finalised, he said.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters, Reddy alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had destroyed all democratic procedures in Telangana state in order to serve his own vested interests. He blasted Rao for stooping down to low levels with derogatory remarks against opposition leaders both in the Legislative Assembly and outside. He urged Assembly speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy to suspend Rao from the house for his unforgivable ‘fascist’ comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Union minister said that Telangana was not Rao’s fiefdom where he can show disrespect for the Prime Minister and the Governor. The Kalvakuntla family always chants CBI, ED and Modi to gain sympathy from the people, he said.
The Centre is trying to streamline the power sector as electricity has become a lifeline for people, he said. To provide quality and uninterrupted power supply, the Union government is planning to review the debts of discoms and subsidies, but it will not be against free power for the agriculture sector, he said.
Kishan Reddy said that BJP’s popularity is rising in Telangana state as the national leadership is strongly supporting it. Only the BJP can oust the TRS government, he added.
