Please don’t do it: Kiran

• Kiran tells GoM division will bring bigger problems for both states
• He gives a letter supported by two books detailing the problems
• Points out Naxal and terrorist threat to smaller state of T
• Give a hefty package of Rs 1 lakh cr to T to avoid division
• T stands to lose on irrigation and will suffer from power shortages

New Delhi: “Please don’t do it.” These were the last words of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy before leaving the GoM that will now commence finalising the report. The Chief Minister, who gave a detailed presentation to the GoM, also gave his opinion on the recommendations made by the Seemandhra Ministers before him, knowing fully well that the Centre would not go back on the CWC resolution of forming the Telangana state. The parting words of Kiran Kumar Reddy to the GoM, had no takers, as minutes after Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde informed that there would be another GoM meeting on November 21, before finalising the report.

The Telangana Bill, he said, would be brought in the winter session of parliament. Sources stated that the Chief Minister, who looked sombre and gloomy, gave a detailed presentation, with no one contradicting him at the GoM meet, on how the new state of Telangana would pose bigger problems for both the regions. After his presentation, Minister Jairam Ramesh wanted to know his views on various recommendations given by the Seemandhra ministers, who met the GoM before the Chief Minister. The latter was forthcoming in giving his views, but at the end, he requested them not to go ahead with the bifurcation of the state. The ministers present in the meeting were Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Personnel V Narayansamy and Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily, who came late for the meeting. Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram left early and was not present at the time of the Chief Minister's presentation. Similarly, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Defence Minister A K Antony were absent. While the former was busy campaigning in Rajasthan, the latter had excused himself due to his ill-health.

In his presentation, the Chief Minister listed out several problems that could arise after the bifurcation of the state. He described the Naxalite problem as the biggest security threat that could pose as a national security threat, after the formation of Telangana. Likewise, he pointed out that terrorism was another problem staring the state in the face since 1992 and terrorists were repeatedly targeting Hyderabad, he said.

Later, addressing the media, Kiran Reddy asserted that he was invited in his capacity as the state Chief Minister and spoke with authority as he had access to information, which others might not have. Asked by the GoM for his solution to the problem, Kiran Reddy said it should give a package to Telangana, even if it was for Rs lakh crore, as that would be a better option than the bifurcation of the state. Division would create bigger problems, than solving the existing ones.

Underlining the need to keep Andhra Pradesh united, Kiran Reddy said that he submitted a letter that set out his views and backed it up with two sets of books containing detailed information to explain how more and more problems would arise from the decision on the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

The Chief Minister was at pains to point out that Telangana stands to lose on irrigation, as well. As the lower riparian state, Andhra Pradesh was given the right to using surplus water. For utilising the surplus waters, irrigation projects were constructed at an expense of Rs 13,000 crore. If Telangana is created, then the state loses the lower-riparian state status and, as a result, it will lose the right to use the surplus waters. Pulichintala Project, Kiran Kumar Reddy said, would be completed next month. Polavaram Project and Dummugudem Project had to be constructed, to augment irrigation potential in the region. If, however, the water releases were not timely, then the rice bowl could turn into a begging bowl. Telangana would suffer from power shortages, as it consumed 50 per cent more than it produces. Out of the Rs 55,000 crore turnover in IT in the state, Hyderabad alone accounted for Rs 54,800 crore. Besides, healthcare facilities, educational and other premier institutions, employment facilities, pharmaceutical and other industries were all concentrated in Hyderabad, much to the disadvantage of Seemandhra region, he argued.