Telangana Assembly Witnesses Key Bills, Heated Debate and Walkouts

Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha Tables Private Universities Bill

Telangana Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha on Thursday introduced the Private Universities Bill in the Assembly. The Minister also tabled the Amity University Bill, aimed at facilitating the establishment and regulation of private universities in the state.

GHMC Ward Delimitation Issues Will Be Resolved: Minister Sridhar Babu

Minister Sridhar Babu on Thursday said that any issues arising out of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) ward delimitation process will be addressed and resolved by the government.

Speaking on Hyderabad’s administrative reforms, the Minister said that eight zonal commissioners have been appointed to strengthen urban governance. He also revealed that two IAS officers have been specially deputed to oversee Hyderabad’s administration.

Sridhar Babu criticised the previous government for increasing the number of districts to 33 without appointing adequate staff. Though 33 collectorate buildings were constructed, he alleged that they were left without proper personnel. He said that after the present government came to power, staff were recruited for the collectorates through the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC).

The Minister also accused the BJP-led Central government of weakening the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). He alleged that despite promises to expand the scheme, the Centre has effectively diluted it, and even removed Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the programme.

He said the state government remains committed to administrative efficiency and safeguarding welfare schemes meant for the poor and working class.

No Decision Yet on Number of Corporations: Sridhar Babu

Minister Sridhar Babu on Thursday said that no final decision has been taken yet on how many corporations Hyderabad will be divided into. He stated that the government is moving forward with the objective of strengthening the municipal administration system.

The minister said that municipalities were merged into the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) with the sole aim of providing better services to the public. He added that a comprehensive plan has been prepared to ensure improved civic amenities and efficient service delivery to citizens under the GHMC.

Clarifying the government’s stand, Sridhar Babu said that the decision on the number of corporations will be taken only after seeking opinions from all stakeholders and considering public feedback.

BRS Decides to Boycott Assembly Sessions Over CM’s Remarks: Harish Rao

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Harish Rao announced that the party has decided to boycott the ongoing Assembly sessions in protest against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks and the conduct of the Speaker. Expressing strong resentment, Harish Rao said BRS members walked out of the House as a mark of protest.

He alleged that democratic values were being completely undermined in the Assembly. Referring to decisions taken in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), Harish Rao said one set of decisions was made there, while a different approach was adopted on the floor of the House.

Harish Rao accused the Chief Minister of turning the Assembly into a platform for abusive language and claimed that the opposition was not given an opportunity to protest or respond to the CM’s statements. Questioning the Speaker’s role, he asked why the opposition should attend the House if the principal opposition party is not allowed to speak.

He further questioned how the Speaker could ask members not to criticise the Chief Minister, pointing out that even national leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, criticise the Prime Minister. Harish Rao alleged that the CM was converting the Assembly into a “Gandhi Bhavan or CLP meeting” and accused him of responding in an uncivil manner whenever the opposition raised questions.

BRS MLAs Boycott Discussion on Bills, Stage Protest from Assembly to Gun Park

Sridhar Babu stated that the recently introduced GHMC Bill will significantly contribute to the growth of the Core Urban Region extending up to the Outer Ring Road (ORR).

He said the government has identified this area as a key economic zone and the main engine for urban development. The region contributes a substantial share to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

For effective governance, the government has also decided to merge 28 urban local bodies, streamlining administration and ensuring coordinated development across the urban region.

Minister Sridhar Babu has introduced several key bills in the state Assembly. These include amendments to the Municipal and GHMC Acts aimed at strengthening urban governance.

He also presented the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to update regulations governing road transport and vehicle management in the state.

Meanwhile, Minister Damodara introduced the Telangana Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, which proposes changes to the framework regulating private higher education institutions.

CM Didn’t Name Anyone on Musi Issue, Says Sridhar Babu

Minister Sridhar Babu stated that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy did not mention any names while speaking on the Musi River rejuvenation project. He questioned why BRS members reacted despite no names being cited.

According to Sridhar Babu, the CM noted that those showing interest in Musi rejuvenation are the ones actively responding, and if BRS has no interest in the project, that is their choice.

He added that the government is open to suggestions from Assembly members regarding the Musi project. Once the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is completed, MLAs will be consulted, and their advice and inputs will be taken into consideration.

Musi Project Must Protect Historic Structures and Ecology, Says MLA Akbaruddin

AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin has urged that the ongoing Musi River rejuvenation project be planned in a way that safeguards Hyderabad’s historic structures and ecological habitats. He pointed out that floodwaters from surrounding lakes are entering the Musi, turning it into a channel for sewage rather than clean water, and surveys have also found Gandipet waters to be polluted.

The MLA suggested a detailed study to identify all points where sewage enters the river stretch from Vikarabad to Himayatsagar. Highlighting environmental concerns, he noted that the Musi River ranked 22nd among the most polluted rivers worldwide in a 2022 global survey.

He stressed the importance of conserving rare bird habitats in the Musi catchment area while undertaking development. The agency executing the Musi project should carefully study these ecological and heritage considerations, he said.

Akbaruddin also noted that the capacities of Osmansagar and Himayatsagar reservoirs have decreased over time and could be increased. He recommended constructing three pedestrian bridges near the Charminar and protecting historic buildings, including Osmania General Hospital, alongside riverfront development. He concluded that Musi rejuvenation should go hand in hand with preserving Hyderabad’s heritage and natural environment.

In a dramatic turn of events in the Telangana Assembly, BRS MLAs walked out during proceedings after they were not allowed to respond to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s statements made on the Musi rejuvenation project during question hour.