CM meets PM, seeks defence land to build new secretariat

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and sought the Centre's nod for transfer of defence land to the state government for construction of new secretariat among other things.

After several rounds of consultations with all the stake-holders in the Defence Ministry and keeping in view the need for expanding road network on account of increase in population and traffic, the ministry has conveyed it's "in principle approval" for transfer of the defence lands, Rao said in a letter submitted to the Prime Minister.

"However, they have imposed an unreasonable condition of payment of Rs 31.20 crore every year by the state government to the Cantonment Board," according to a release from the chief minister's office on his meeting with Modi.

When the state government is willing to exchange lands and pay differential cost of the land as a one-time measure, the question of annual payment should not arise, Rao said.

The state government has requested the Ministry of Defence to revise the condition and the matter has been pending with them since August, 2017, he said.

The chief minister also raised various other issues including the new zonal system in the state andincreasing the percentage of reservations.

"In the backdrop of formation of new state with 31 districts, there is a need to issue a fresh Presidential Order adjusting zones, multi-zones and state cadre etc., under section 371-D of the Constitution," Rao said.

The new zonal system has been announced in the state with an aim to provide more opportunities to local candidates in government employment.

Recalling the Bill passed by the state Legislature last year which increases the percentage of reservation to STs and backward sections among Muslims, Rao requested Modi to accord President's assent early to the Bill which has been pending with the Union Home Ministry since April, 2017, the release said.

Rao also urged Modi to expedite the process of setting up a separate High Court for Andhra Pradesh (post bifurcation), it said.

"The process may be expedited, and the Law Ministry may be directed to take immediate steps for establishment of separate High Court for the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh without any further delay," it said.

The Chief Minister also sought a grant of Rs 20,000 crore from the centre for the early completion of Kaleshwaram irrigation project on Godavari river.