Modi government fallen short of Telangana's expectations: K T Rama Rao
Hyderabad, Telangana: The Narendra Modi government has clearly demonstrated intent to do good in its 100 days in office but has fallen short of expectations of Telangana, which is looking for support, a minister of the newly carved state said.
"Hundred days is too early to judge anybody. Because we are in the government we know it for a fact that 100 days is too early. So, I think the intent is there. It is very much there. But we have to wait and see how far they (Modi government) will deliver (going forward)," Telangana's IT and Panchayat Raj Minister K T Rama Rao told PTI.
"We are in government here (Telangana) as well. We know in a transition, specially in a big country like ours, it does take time for things going. So while intent is there...we have to wait and see. 100 days is too early to judge. I don't think we should judge a person or a government purely based on the first three months," the son of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said.
"When you are new to government there is lot of intent and lot of motivation to do good. But how far will you be able to execute and what methods you will adopt is something that will be watched closely," he said.
Asked if he felt Andhra Pradesh is favoured more by Centre compared to Telangana, a view held by some sections in the new state, Rama Rao said, "That's the question you have to ask the Union government. I can tell you one thing for sure that the support that Telangana should receive definitely has not come about."
Telangana government is disappointed with the Modi rule for having taken the Ordinance route to annex to Andhra Pradesh seven mandals which "rightfully belong" to Telangana, he said.
In July, the NDA government transferred seven mandals of Khammam district, to residual Andhra Pradesh, by way of Ordinance. It paved the way for construction of a national project at Polavaram in Andhra Pradesh which is a multipurpose project for irrigation, hydro power, drinking and industrial purposes.
He also said that there was not much in the Union Budget to rejoice from Telangana's perspective.
"Telangana is a state which suffered in the past in the united Andhra Pradesh. We were hoping for some relief...some assistance but that did not come about. Hopefully, in the days to come it would be corrected and we will have a better approach and more encouragement from the Union government," Rama Rao said.
"...We have been demanding and requesting them. We have been asking them to come to our rescue, because Telangana is a state which has suffered a lot in the past and because of the suffering and negligence in Andhra Pradesh we sought separation from it," he said.
"Now after separation we definitely need helping hand from the Central government. There is very little so far that is being received by Telangana. But, hopefully in days to come we will have a situation where we will get more support and more encouragement from the Union government," he said.
"We look forward to a cordial relationship with Central government. We definitely are going to work with them. I think in democracy irrespective of political affiliations and ideological differences when the people give you mandate you have to work together for the benefit of people. So we look forward to a constructive working association with the Union government," the minister said.
He said the Chief Minister would probably be visiting Delhi soon, meet the Prime Minister and put forward a lot of pending issues where the state needs Central assistance.
"So hopefully we will have a better and better relationship going forward. The encouragement and the sort of assistance we had expected definitely has not come about. But hopefully in days to come things will change for better," Rao added.
