Telangana’s gain is not Andhra Pradesh’s loss, says CM
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday dismissed claims by the Andhra Pradesh government that it had suffered losses while Telangana had gained with the bifurcation of the state.
Mr Chandrasekhar Rao said that the Telangana movement had emerged due to the discrimination and neglect of the region. He said the TRS government had focussed only on development, fulfilling needs of people with the innovative practices and strategies to build ‘Bangaru Telangana’.
Quoting noted economist Ch. Hanumantha Rao, the CM said funds from Telangana were diverted to Seemandhra in undivided AP, which had stopped now. This made Telangana a revenue surplus state.
“The propaganda that AP suffered losses and Telangana gained due to the bifurcation is not correct. It’s a mad calculation. We have to counter such false propaganda countrywide effectively,” he told the three-day orientation class for TRS leaders which began on Saturday at Nagarjunasagar.
“The undivided AP government spent lavishly in Andhra region. When the expenditure came down after bifurcation, it is being projected as if AP is deficit,” he said. Ministers and TRS legislators are attending the orientation session. Apart from Mr Ch Hanumantha Rao, former Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh and other experts spoke.
Mr Rao said he had taken up said Mission Kakatiya and KG-to-PG education to help the poor and underprivileged to face globalisation. Turning philosophical to explain the rationale for the orientation classes, the CM said no man is perfect and learning was a continuous process. He said one has to set aside bloated egos and learn as much as possible in the short span of life.
“India is afflicted with a strange disease. It has spread over the years. There are certain specimens. Politicians, MLAs, ministers and CM should be like this. It’s good to stay dignified, but one should not overdo it,” he said.
“Some may ask whether ministers and MLAs should be taught like students. Once you serve as minister, MLA or CM, some feel that they should not do anything more. It’s wrong. Life is short and we have to learn till our last breath,” he said.
Mr Rao said Presi-dents and PM in several countries turn professors in universities after they lay down office. “They don’t have egos, but in our country we have ego. These positions are not permanent. Some can’t speak English fluently and feel bad. We can learn it. Practice makes a man perfect,” he said.
He said the government would organise day-long orientation classes henceforth every six months. “We can refresh, rethink and learn things,” he said. Heaping praise on Mr Hanumantha Rao and Mr Lyngdoh for their contribution to society and accepting their suggestions in good governance.
He noted that Mr Hanumantha Rao, who worked with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and was a colleague of Dr Manmohan Singh — who later became the Prime Minister — in the Delhi School of Economics. Mr Hanumantha Rao could have become a Governor, Rajya Sabha member and Union minister but he did not lobby for the posts, the Chief Minister noted.
“His talent was not projected in Telangana in undivided Andhra Pradesh. If the same Hanumantha Rao had been born in Andhra, he would have been praised sky high,” Mr Chandrasekhar Rao said.
TS funds were diverted, says noted economist:
Noted economist Ch. Hanumantha Rao on Saturday said that during the 60 years of composite AP, the Telangana region saw lower expenditure and lower investment per capita than the Andhra region.
“That surplus from this region, which is now a state, was diverted for investment in the other region. We now have the opportunity of having elected representatives who have political power and can utilise resources for the development of this state,” he said.
He said some interesting facts had emerged in the 14th Finance Commission report. It showed that in the last 10 years, the per capita expenditure in Telangana was lower than in the Andhra region.
“The per capita revenues collected in the Telangana has always been higher compared to AP. There was obviously a surplus in TS during the last 10 years,” he said at the TRS reorientation camp.
He added, “This position has always been there because in the sixties and seventies according to the Bhargava Commission at that time Telangana surpluses were diverted to the Andhra region.”
( Source : dc correspondent )
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