Telangana CM meets Rajnath Singh, Jaitley;discusses key issues

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today met Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley in Delhi and discussed the new zonal system and other key issues concerning the state.

Rao's meeting with the two Union Ministers came a day after he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the same issues.

"CM thanked the Union (Home) Minister Rajnath Singh for taking steps for approval of the newly formed Zonal system in Telangana," an official release said here today.

The new zonal system concerns government employment in the state.

Rao also discussed other matters concerning the state with Singh, the release said.

Several issues pertaining to division of assets and others between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh following bifurcation of undivided Andhra Pradesh in 2014 have been pending resolution.

In his meeting with Jaitley, Rao requested release of Rs 450 crore towards the fourth instalment of Special Assistance for development of backward districts in Telangana, it said.

He urged the Finance Minister to raise the annual borrowing limit for the state by an additional 0.50 per cent of GSDP 'as recommended by the 14th Finance Commission", it said.

He also sought release of interest subvention from the Centre towards the Self Help Group (SHG) bank linkage programme, it added.

Rao's meetings in Delhi assume political significance as they come amid speculation about the possibility of advancement of Legislative Assembly elections in Telangana, which are scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls next year.