DS sees smooth bifurcation, transition of government

Former PCC chief tells Seemandhra to halt agitation Rules out Hyderabad as Union Territory Allays fears on future of settlers in T Wants development of health and education sectors in new State

Hyderabad: The former PCC president and senior Congress leader D Srinivas on Tuesday felt that there was no need for a transition government to complete the process of bifurcation of the state. Speaking at meet the press organised by Telangana Journalists’ Forum, Srinivas said that the Congress party had never gone back on its word and exuded confidence that the present Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy would cooperate in the process of transition.

Srinivas said that both Kiran and PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana had told the AICC president Sonia Gandhi that they would abide by the decision of the party high command. So far none of them had said that they were opposed to the decision of the CWC nor did they say that they will not cooperate.

When pointed out that the Chief Minister had not been going to Secretariat from June 30 ever since the CWC announced its decision and also signed the resolution in support of Samaikya Andhra, Srinivas said that he was not aware of it. If he and PCC president have signed then it was not proper on their part since they have assured the high command that they will stand by its decision.

While appealing to the people of Seemandhra region to call off their agitation, he asked the government to act tough if any miscreants indulge in vandalism. “Violence has to be controlled at any cost,” he said. Srinivas ruled out the possibility of declaring Hyderabad as Union Territory or converting it into a permanent capital as suggested by union minister of State K Chiranjeevi. “This proposal makes no sense and is not practical from administration point of view and I am sure he will understand the real situation and change his stand,” he said.

The former PCC president said that Sonia Gandhi had told him clearly that it would be Telangana consisting of 10 districts with Hyderabad as capital. If it gets bonus of two more districts, he personally would have no objection, Srinivas added.
He said he was pained at the ongoing agitations in Seemandhra region.

“I am in close touch with the Congress leaders of those regions and I have been telling them that they should give their suggestions to the committee headed by A K Antony and cooperate in smooth transition. Allaying apprehensions, he said there will be no word like settlers in Congress dictionary. All those who are settled here whether they be government employees or private entrepreneurs or those who have created wealth here will be part of the Telangana.

Srinivas said once the new state was constituted, from Chief Minister down to the lowest employee will have to ensure that all pilferages and leakages were plugged if the state were to develop. Telangana region has 10 billion tons of coal which is sufficient for next 80 years. It would require over 5000 MW of power to make the region self-sufficient. Special attention needs to be paid towards health and education sectors. The new government will have to work in coordination with trade bodies like CII for investments and creation of employment in private sector.