Process may open Pandora’s box

CARVING OUT OF NEW DISTRICTS

Hyderabad: Has the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao stirred up the hornet’s nest by promising to create new districts in line with his party’s poll promise? The analysts across the Telangana State say ‘yes’ because of the possibility that it may spark demand for more and more districts. With people already taking to streets, demanding that one or the other region be made a new district, the issue is likely to land the government in a tricky situation, besides creating animosity among the people.

KCR, who pitched strongly for the creation of small districts during the Telangana Movement, has recently gave his nod announcing that a panel, headed by the Chief Secretary and comprising Revenue officials. The panel is asked to ensure that new districts are carved out by taking into account average population in each district at national level. While the average population at national level in each district is 19 lakh, it is 35 lakh in Telangana State.

Initially, the TRS chief wanted to create new districts for Siddipet, Mancherial, Kothagudem, Suryapet, Vikarabad, Jagtial and Nagar Kurnool reorganising the existing 10 districts. Later, the number has increased further to 24 districts including the existing ones. Now with the situation almost reaching to a boiling point, the people from all corners of the state have started to question why not their region be made a new district headquarters.

Earlier, there was a plan to carve out Nagar Kurnool district from Mahbubnagar. But when the Wanaparthy MLA G Chinna Reddy launched an indefinite strike to make his constituency a new district last year, the government conceded to the demand. Another Congress leader DK Aruna also demanded that her Gadwal constituency be made a district. She argued that the region had been neglected for a longtime.

“After, Gadwal region was merged with the AP from Karnataka, the region’s farmers had lost irrigation source despite being located between two rivers – Krishna and Tungabhadra,” Aruna told The Hans India. In this regard, she met the Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma and told him that Gadwal was an ideal place on all counts to become a new district headquarters. Minister for Tribal Welfare Ajmeera Chandulal said that he had urged the Chief Secretary to carve out Mulugu as the first tribal district in the State.

This came in the backdrop of a growing demand from the people of Mahbubabad and Bhupalpally, while Janagoan appears to be the frontrunner. “Centrally located and bestowed with forests, temples and several other tourism spots, Mulug is a fit case for the new district,” he said, stating that availability of 3,000 acres of government land for the purpose.

In Khammam district, both Kothagudem and Bhadrachalam are in the race. Madivi Nehru, State coordinator of the Adivasi Sankshema Parishad, and leaders of other Adivasi fora have started dharnas and rallies to exert pressure on the state government to make Bhadrachalam as tribal district.

Bhadrachalam MLA Sunnam Rajaiah said, “The CPI (M)’s stand will be revealed after the government forms a panel and announces the criteria for the new district.” In Nalgonda, although Suryapet appears to be sure bet, the demand for making Miryalaguda and Bhonigir is also gaining momentum. It’s same in case with the Zaheerabad in Medak; Kamareddy and Banswada in Nizamabad.

By Adepu Mahender