KCR stakes claim on institutions

• KCR meets Rajnath, opposes AP staking its claim
• As per AP Act, govt bodies in TS can’t go to AP
• STS CM also meets Javadekar, Smriti Irani
• Winds up two-day hectic tour to national capital

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao wound up his two-day tour of the national capital by meeting Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Forest and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and HRD Minister Smriti Irani on Sunday.

During his meeting with Rajnath Singh, Rao is said to have discussed the problems being created by the AP government in regard to the ownership of various institutions and corporations. He said as per Schedule IX and X of the AP Reorganisation Act the ownership of institutions should go to the states where they are located.

But contrary to this, the AP government is insisting on sharing them on basis of 52:48. Rao sought the intervention of Rajnath Singh in the matter. The union minister, sources said, assured him that nothing would be done against rules prescribed in the Reorganisation Act. The Chief Minister, however, did not raise the topic of Centre’s missive to Telangana government last month regarding special powers to Governor. Rao called on Javadekar and urged him to release Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority funds meant for Telangana. He informed him about the Haritha Haaram drive of the government was aimed at increasing the forest cover in Telangana to 33 per cent from the existing 25. Although Telangana was to receive Rs 1,104 crore of CAMPA funds, this year only a meagre Rs 35 crore was released. The issue of blocking of two Telugu TV channels reportedly came up for discussion with Javadakar who also holds independent charge of information and broadcasting.

Rao also called on HRD Minister Smriti Irani and urged her to take steps for setting up IIM, Tribal University and National Institute of Tool Design. He said the government was ready to allot required land for the institutions.