KCR okays zonal rejig

​Hyderabad: Ahead of crucial talks with employees’ unions on their demands in a few days, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar has accorded 'in principle' approval of the creation of new zones proposed by the Cabinet Sub Committee, headed Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Sri Hari.

Before seeking ratification of President Ram Nath Kovind for the amendment of Article 371 (D) which is under implementation through Presidential order, the state cabinet will approve the creation of four new zones in addition to the existing two in the state shortly.

After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Telangana state has got two zones – Zone V and Zone VI. Erstwhile Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam districts come under Zone V and the remaining six districts – Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Nizamabad, Mahbubnagar, Medak and Nalgonda districts are covered under Zone VI. The zonal system was brought into force in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh through the Presidential order under Article 371 (D).

The five-member cabinet sub committee recommended the creation of four new zones and two multi zones from out of 31 districts. The committee proposed each zone will have five districts. Creation of two multi zones, consists of 15 and 16 districts each, was also under active consideration.

Erstwhile Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Khammam districts will be covered under first, second and third zones. The fourth and fifth zones will have Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Medak and part of Nalgonda district.
Mahbubnagar and remaining part of old Nalgonda district will come under the purview of sixth zone.

The government is finalizing draft amendment to the Presidential Order which is to be forwarded to the Union Home Ministry seeking Presidential nod. Top officials said that the sub-committee also proposed to reduce the state cadre posts and increase zonal posts.

The increase in zonal posts will help to get more job opportunities to the locals. The district cadre posts will remain the same. Some state cadre posts will be converted into - multi zonal posts.

Officials said that the Chief Minister has approved the sub-committee recommendations on the creation of new zones. He proposed some modifications to bring some group one posts under the multi zonal cadre.

KCR will seek suggestions, if any, on the rejig of zones and inclusion of new posts in zonal cadre in the next meeting to be organised with employees’ unions to address their long-pending demands, including creation of the first PRC (Pay Revision Commission) for the hike of their salaries and lifting of the ban on transfers. After meeting the unions, the CM will call for a Cabinet meeting for its nod.