Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday had a two-hour meeting with Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan on various issues, especially matters relating to the Budget.
The Chief Minister reportedly discussed the Budget, the ensuing Assembly Session, bifurcation of the High Court, location of the Telangana High Court, Cabinet expansion, power crisis, new ration cards and the loan waiver scheme among others.
Mr Rao has been regularly calling on the Governor and briefing him on various government matters, especially the power crisis, which has led to protests from farmers and other sections of the society.
He briefed the Governor on the steps taken by the government to reduce the gap between the power demand and availability through purchase of power from private companies at a higher rate.
The Chief Minister had recently visited New Delhi and met Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu and requested him to take immediate steps to bifurcate the High Court.
He also sent the Chief Secretary, Dr Rajiv Sharma, to follow up with the Chief Justice of India on the division of the High Court and the location of new site.
While the Andhra Pradesh High Court will temporarily function from the existing High Court building in Hyderabad, the Telangana High Court will be located at a temporary location.
The Chief Justice of India has reportedly okayed the proposal, said government sources.
The Chief Minister is looking out for a suitable place and scouted Erramanzil government buildings, King Kothi and other places. However, a senior official said that the Chief Minister's recent visit to King Kothi had nothing to do with the High Court.
The Cabinet expansion is also long overdue and Mr Rao may undertake the exercise before the start of the Budget Session, said party sources.
