The Majlis Floor Leader, Mr Akbaruddin Owaisi, on Thursday demanded the government to release adequate funds to deck up the city for a mega international event on bio diversity in October.

Participating in a debate on the motion of thanks to Governor’s speech, Mr Owaisi said a prestigious conference would be held in which 193 countries would take part. This will enhance the global profile of the city and the government should immediately convene a meeting of all civic heads to review the preparedness.

Maintaining that the improvement of civic infrastructure could not be taken up during monsoon, the Majlis member wanted the works to be started immediately. He also demanded that the government should release 10 per cent of motor vehicle tax collected in twin cities to the GHMC, five per cent of VAT and 95 per cent of the professional tax. This will fetch the corporation around Rs 2,000 crore, he said adding that people had higher expectations about the city development as MIM is at the helm of GHMC affairs.

Mr Owaisi appreciated the government for enhancing the budgetary allocations for minorities and deciding to conduct recruitment tests to fill government posts in Urdu medium also. He expressed concern over the regional differences and prolonged agitations damaging the brand Hyderabad. “It is high time that the Centre decided this way or that way,” he said stressing the need for taking decision on separation of state.