Withdraw Electricity Bill too: CM KCR
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Saturday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi withdraw the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020. The Chief Minister asked the Central government not to pass the Bill in Parliament. Stating that the TRS will strongly oppose the move in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, he said demonstrations would be organised on […]
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Saturday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi withdraw the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020. The Chief Minister asked the Central government not to pass the Bill in Parliament. Stating that the TRS will strongly oppose the move in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, he said demonstrations would be organised on a large scale with farmers if the Centre attempts to pass the Bill.
The TRS government has taken up a series of initiatives to supply 24X7 quality power to farmers, who suffered losses in undivided Andhra Pradesh. But in the name of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, the Central government is putting unnecessary pressure on the States to install electrical metres at the borewells,” he said.
“We can supply 24X7 free power to our farmers. We demand the Centre not to put pressure on States such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu which are providing free power to the agriculture sector,” the Chief Minister said.
“When States are saying that they won’t implement Centre’s laws, it is putting pressure on the States stating that they won’t release funds. This is nothing but dictatorship. If the Central government feels that it is an appropriate Act, it can implement it in the States ruled by the BJP but don’t force all the States to implement it,” he said.
Slamming the Central government for the inordinate delay in referring the matter to the tribunal to decide the water allocations in Krishna and Godavari basins, the Chief Minister said all rights should be given to a new State under Section 3 of Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act (APRA).
“The Centre has delayed setting up of High Court for Telangana and finally established it after five years of the formation of the State. Even after seven years, the Centre is unable to decide water allocations in Krishna and Godavari basin,” he said.
“Why is this delay even after seven years?. Because of the Centre’s delay, the State is facing problems,” he said and added that he would meet Union Jal Shakti Minister during his visit to New Delhi and request him to expedite the process. “I already met him thrice and demanded him to decide our share in Krishna and Godavari basins and set up a tribunal and refer the matter to it. As promised, we also withdrew a case in the Supreme Court,” he explained. At the same time, instructions should be given to the tribunal to take time-bound decisions to decide water allocations between the two States. “If necessary, we will meet Modi on the issue,” he said.
“If the Centre fails to do it, we will organise demonstrations. The issue will also be raised in the Parliament in coordination with other States,” Chief Minister said. “There is a limit to our patience. The centre is also creating problems for our projects by not giving clearances. If water allocations are finalised, the issue will be resolved,” he said. To a question, the Chief Minister said, “What is preventing the Central government from referring the matter to a tribunal to decide allocations? Is it the policy of the Centre to delay it and put the blame on others?” he asked.
‘Centre silent on SC categorisation, BC census’
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao demanded that the Centre clear stand on increasing reservation to tribal people in the State, SC categorisation and caste census of Backward Classes. “The State government had passed resolutions in the Assembly over these issues and had even appealed to the Centre but there was no response so far,” he said.
In undivided Andhra Pradesh, the tribal population in the State was about six per cent and it had increased considerably after Telangana formation. Citing the example of Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister said since 2017, nearly 50 appeals were made to the Centre to permit increasing reservations to Girijans. It has been pending for long, he explained.
“Similarly, many people had lost their lives pressing for SC categorisation. The State government had even passed a unanimous resolution and forwarded the same to the Centre. It is yet to take a decision,” he said. On the caste census of Backward Classes, the Chief Minister said there was demand for many years and the State government had passed a resolution in this regard too. The census will help the government in taking appropriate decisions for the welfare of different communities, he said. “Citing sensitivity, the Centre is trying to escape from its responsibilities,” he said.
CM’s ex gratia move draws praise
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s decision to announce an ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to the kin of 750 farmers, who lost their lives fighting against farm laws, won accolades on Twitter.
Hailing the decision, TRS working president KT Rama Rao tweeted, “Proud of Hon’ble @TelanganaCMO. #KCR Garu for announcing Rs.3 lakh ex gratia to all the 750 plus farmers who lost lives fighting the #FarmLaws in NCR Thumbs up.” He also demanded the Central government announce Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to each farmer family and also withdraw all cases unconditionally. Film actor Nani too thanked the Chief Minister for announcing ex gratia.
In another tweet, Aneesha Bedi said, “Quite an announcement from @TelanganaCMO”. In a separate tweet, Mahesh L said, “Wow! Laudable announcement by @TelanganaCMO to help families of those farmers who died during protests against #FarmLaws. Hope the Centre and other States would also follow it.”
Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe.
Click to follow Telangana Today Facebook page and Twitter .
