Revanth Reddy urges PM Narendra Modi to grant national status for Palamuru-Rangareddy project

NEW DELHI: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday and sought fulfillment of pending assurances given to the State under the AP Reorganisation Act.

Later addressing media along with the CM, Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka said that they met the Prime Minister following the federal spirit of the republic. “It was more of a courtesy call. We sought Centre’s help in the fulfillment of pending assurances in the bifurcation Act, particularly in the three pertinent areas of water, funds, and employment,” he said.

He pointed out that the earlier Telangana Government had failed to achieve the promises in a decade. Hence, the new Government sought that the demands to be fulfilled fast, he said adding that the pending assurances included a steel plant at Bayyaram, a coach factory at Kazipet, ITIR, national project status for the Palamuru Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS), greenfield status to Kakatiya Mega Textile Park in Warangal, IIM for Telangana, shifting of Army regional headquarters from Pune to Secunderabad cantonment and a Sainik School for Telangana.

The Chief Minister in his maiden meeting with the PM after assuming charge as CM of Telangana also sought clearance of 14 proposals for enhancement pending with the NHAI, and backward area development funds of Rs 1,800 crore pending from 2019 till date. He explianed that the Centre had released Rs 450 crore per year under the Bifurcation Act from 2015 to 2021, but was required to release pending grants of Rs 1,800 crore and pending funds of Rs 2,233.54 crore under the 15th Finance Commission.

While explaining to the PM about the precarious financial condition of the State, the duo also submitted the recent white paper that the Government released on the financial status of the State to PM Narendra Modi. “BRS destroyed the economy and left Telangana in a debt trap. To rescue the State and to save the State’s future, we urged the Centre’s help. The State requires financial assistance for irrigation, education, and vital sectors,” Vikramarka said.

He said that the PM heard them patiently and reacted positively. “Centre would do all the help in its capacity, is what the PM has said,” the Deputy CM replied to the question. He said that Telangana Government did not ask for the relaxation of FRBM limits specifically, but submitted a document that comprised department-wise requirements. He added that the issue of corruption did not come up during the conversation with the PM that went on for half an hour.

Answering a question about whether he was confident of help from the Centre, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said that the PM had assured help under the federal setup.