TITA backs T bandh over Polavaram Ordinance

In support of the daylong bandh called by the Telangana Chief Minister designate Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao over Polavaram ordinance, Telangana Information Technology Association (TITA) members gathered near Cyber Towers and protested with plycards and banners. The Telangana Information Technology Association (TITA) severely condemns the proposed ordinance by the Government of India of merging seven mandals of Khammam district which includes the Lower Sileru Hydro Electric Power Project with Seemandhra.

“Polavaram dam is NOT a water issue. It is Rehabilitation and re-settlement issue. Even by transferring these villages to Seema-Andhra, the issue will remain unresolved. Many other villages in Chattisghar and Orissa will also be submerged. Hence, the issue of consent of these States and their stakes will continue to rest unaddressed. The amendment to transfer Tribal villages, which are going to be submerged, to seema-andhra state at this stage will send a wrong signal to tribal population throughout the country. These are the tribal, the Adivasis whose rights to their land and livelihoods will be affected. The consent of the Successor State of Telangana cannot be taken for granted as it violates the democratic rights of the tribal people. By transferring these villages at this juncture, the problem cannot be resolved; on the contrary it will be read that the interests of the Tribal people can be dispensed in order to resolve the dispute between Telangana and Seema-Andhra. The amendment regarding the transfe of villages needs to be removed. Instead, the project has to be redesigned to reduce submergence. If any submergence takes place even after redesigning, responsibility for the R&R may be taken over by the Government of India.” Said TITA Founder & President Sundeep Kumar Makthala.

“The Government of India is contemplating to bring in an Ordinance to merge all the villages in seven mandals, both submerged and non-submerged, with Seemandhra in the name of requirement for Rehabilitation and Resettlement. Telangana will lose Lower Sileru Hydro Electric Power Project located in Chintoor Mandal, which is being transferred to Seemandhra. Around 1000 to 1500 Million Units of energy is generated from Lower Sileru Hydro Electric Power Project every year, which is the cheapest source of energy for Telangana. If this project is lost, it will be a great loss to Telangana State which is already facing huge power shortages.” Said Makthala.

“TITA severely condemns this, as the IT industry needs dedicated and uninterrupted Power supply. Telangana region is already reeling under severe power shortages and any further reduction in allotted power then it would be highly detrimental to its interests. 3,348 MW was the projected power supply to Hyderabad ITIR region from the respective state and central governments. Now, the proposed reduction of share from Central Generating Stations (CGS) and "taking away" the Hydro Electric power station at Lower Sileru may directly impacts common man needs along with the needs of many Industries and IT Companies.” Said Makthala.

TITA Vice President Ranapratap Bojjam, Naveen Gaddam, General Secretaries Manoj Enaganti, Joint Secretaries Chandrashekar, Sharat, Sandeep Goud, Ravi Ambadipudi, Shashi, Naresh, G. Suresh, TITA Treasurers Vijay, Sripal, TITA Khammam In-charge Phani Kumar and others participated in the protest.