Byreddy warns against abolishing zonal system

Kurnool: Rayalaseema Parirakshna Samithi (RPS) Chief Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy slammed the State government’s proposal to abolish the zonal system along the lines of the Telangana government.

Speaking at a conference at Kurnool on Monday, Byreddy said Telangana could abolish the zonal system as it had only one zone whereas Andhra Pradesh had two zones: Coastal and Rayalaseema.

He said several unemployed youths from Rayalaseema would lose job opportunities if the zonal system was implemented.

“Rayalaseema falls under fourth zone and the people of this zone are not eligible for getting jobs,” said Byreddy.

He demanded the government to suspend the idea of abolishing zonal system and to declare Amaravati, a free zone. The Samithi chief further demanded that the government allot jobs quota based on the population ratio.

He said that Rayalaseema was reeling under severe drought and people were migrating to faraway places in search of livelihood.

Stating that the ground water levels had dipped alarmingly in December, Byreddy lamented that no measures had been initiated by the government to mitigate the drought and stop the migration.

Demanding the completion of pending irrigation projects on a war footing, Byreddy said he would launch a two-day stir on January 18 and 19 against the negligent attitude of the State government.

Party leader Rama Swamy and RPS student leaders Sri Ramulu and Jaffarullah were also present.