CM KCR criticises Centre’s indifference towards Telangana’s heritage, tourism

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has criticised the Centre’s indifferent attitude towards Telangana State with regards to tourism and other sectors. He said despite repeated requests, there has been no response from the Centre to give the due recognition to Telangana’s rich culture, history, traditions and arts. He stated that the Union government was […]

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has criticised the Centre’s indifferent attitude towards Telangana State with regards to tourism and other sectors. He said despite repeated requests, there has been no response from the Centre to give the due recognition to Telangana’s rich culture, history, traditions and arts. He stated that the Union government was procrastinating the proposals for sanction of six airstrips in the State for more than six and half years, even though the State government offered to develop them with its own funds.

“The Union government has been reckless towards the glorious remnants of Telangana’s history. There are several artists and distinguished people in our State as well. But when the government proposes their names for the Padma awards, the Central government is not considering them. I have personally asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, whether they wanted us to send any names at all or not. They promised necessary action in this regard,” he said.

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During the Question Hour in the Assembly on Monday, Chandrashekhar Rao said a committee will be formed with the MLAs of all the districts to take steps to identify, develop and showcase historical places, forts, scenic spots and unique temples in the State, to the world. He said Telangana’s history, culture, traditions, and arts were not promoted for 58 years in undivided Andhra Pradesh. He pointed out that the State has wonderful waterfalls, the Pandavula Gutta hillock in Khammam and Jogulamba temple at Alampur among many which were all neglected.

After the State formation, the Chief Minister said the Telangana government has taken up multiple programmes for promotion of the rich heritage, scenic locations and spiritual centres as part of tourism. He announced that the families of several royal dynasties were coming forward to hand over their ancient forts to the State government for developing them into tourist attractions.

“We will develop tourist spots using all the natural beauty of Telangana State. Unlike earlier, we have numerous scenic locations on the160 km of Godavari River stretch. We have of lot of tourism potential due to available heritage structures, dense forests, waterfalls, scenic locations, spiritual centres and temples,” Chandrashekhar Rao said. He stated that several researchers have taken up new excavations at several places in the State for old royal legislations and decrees.