By
Express News Service - HYDERABAD
Published: 28th September 2013 07:58 AM
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy pointing out at Andhra Pradesh map
during the media conference at CM's camp office in Hyderabad on Friday.
(Express photo)
Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has sought to build a very strong
case for Samaikyandhra by narrating the problems state’s division will
throw up.
Speaking to mediapersons at his camp office here on Friday, he said, “The problems are insurmountable. There might be some benefits but the problems will outnumber them. In such a case, which one is a wise decision, bifurcation or unity?
He spoke on irrigation and government and private sector employees’ problems. He recalled that the Fazal Ali Commission had recommended in 1956 that the state remain united for proper utilisation of water resources and said its suggestion held water even today. Explaining his point with the help of a map, he said that had the united state not been formed, there was no way Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam dams could have been built on Krishna river.
RESERVOIRS: The Nagarjuna Sagar dam (1967) led to submergence of 70,000 acres, the Srsaialm dam (1982) to 88,000 acres and Pulichintala 28,000 acres. “Had the state not remained united, could we have built these reservoirs with so much submergence? See the kind of problems we are facing on Polavaram now?” the chief minister said.
“If the state is divided, it will cause untold suffering to farmers. Several projects have been taken up under Srisilam for impounding 325 tmcft of water though assured water is only 99.7 tmcft. If the state is divided, there will only be assured water and not surplus water to feed the additional projects under Srisailam.
“There will be several other problems. Even if the Centre set ups a mechanism, it is unlikely that it will address the problems because such mechanisms set up in the past failed. If there is enough water, it is fine. If not, the problems will arise and cause water wars between the two states.”
Referring to power, he said Telangana state would suffer because the lift irrigation schemes in the region would require 175 million units. For power porjects to generate that much electricity, an investment of Rs 45,000 crore would be needed. “Where will Telangana state get that much money from?” he asked.
GOVT JOBS: On the apprehensions of employees, he said it was on account of the appointments made in accordance with rules in force in a combined state. Under the Six-Point Formula, 70 per cent of government vacancies in a district were filled by people hailing from that district. In the remaining 30 per cent vacancies, people from other districts were appointed. When the state is divided, these people will have a serious problem.
Under zonal system, there are six zones in the state. Seventy per cent of jobs in a zone are filled by people from that zone and the rest from other zones. Ten to 11 per cent of jobs in common cadre posts are filled by people from all districts.
Then there is the question of pensions. Those who retired from service have settled down in Hyderabad or in some other districts. “After division, how will pensions be paid to them?”
NO ASSURANCE: These problems surfaced when states were divided elsewhere in the country. These problems are difficult to solve. That is why the Centre should address them first. But though it is about 58 days now since the CWC announced its decision on Telangana, no assurance has come from the Centre. The decision to divide was political. It should be backed by government’s action programme as to how it would address these myriad problem. That is lacking.”
The chief minister made an appeal to the Seemandhra government employees to call off their strike since political leadership was seized of the issue. “They have forgone Rs 1,000 crore in the form salaries. They should call off the strike now since they have made their point known to the Centre,” he said.
Speaking to mediapersons at his camp office here on Friday, he said, “The problems are insurmountable. There might be some benefits but the problems will outnumber them. In such a case, which one is a wise decision, bifurcation or unity?
He spoke on irrigation and government and private sector employees’ problems. He recalled that the Fazal Ali Commission had recommended in 1956 that the state remain united for proper utilisation of water resources and said its suggestion held water even today. Explaining his point with the help of a map, he said that had the united state not been formed, there was no way Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam dams could have been built on Krishna river.
RESERVOIRS: The Nagarjuna Sagar dam (1967) led to submergence of 70,000 acres, the Srsaialm dam (1982) to 88,000 acres and Pulichintala 28,000 acres. “Had the state not remained united, could we have built these reservoirs with so much submergence? See the kind of problems we are facing on Polavaram now?” the chief minister said.
“If the state is divided, it will cause untold suffering to farmers. Several projects have been taken up under Srisilam for impounding 325 tmcft of water though assured water is only 99.7 tmcft. If the state is divided, there will only be assured water and not surplus water to feed the additional projects under Srisailam.
“There will be several other problems. Even if the Centre set ups a mechanism, it is unlikely that it will address the problems because such mechanisms set up in the past failed. If there is enough water, it is fine. If not, the problems will arise and cause water wars between the two states.”
Referring to power, he said Telangana state would suffer because the lift irrigation schemes in the region would require 175 million units. For power porjects to generate that much electricity, an investment of Rs 45,000 crore would be needed. “Where will Telangana state get that much money from?” he asked.
GOVT JOBS: On the apprehensions of employees, he said it was on account of the appointments made in accordance with rules in force in a combined state. Under the Six-Point Formula, 70 per cent of government vacancies in a district were filled by people hailing from that district. In the remaining 30 per cent vacancies, people from other districts were appointed. When the state is divided, these people will have a serious problem.
Under zonal system, there are six zones in the state. Seventy per cent of jobs in a zone are filled by people from that zone and the rest from other zones. Ten to 11 per cent of jobs in common cadre posts are filled by people from all districts.
Then there is the question of pensions. Those who retired from service have settled down in Hyderabad or in some other districts. “After division, how will pensions be paid to them?”
NO ASSURANCE: These problems surfaced when states were divided elsewhere in the country. These problems are difficult to solve. That is why the Centre should address them first. But though it is about 58 days now since the CWC announced its decision on Telangana, no assurance has come from the Centre. The decision to divide was political. It should be backed by government’s action programme as to how it would address these myriad problem. That is lacking.”
The chief minister made an appeal to the Seemandhra government employees to call off their strike since political leadership was seized of the issue. “They have forgone Rs 1,000 crore in the form salaries. They should call off the strike now since they have made their point known to the Centre,” he said.
Source: The New Indian Express
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