KCR for Delhi to seek justice

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao left for New Delhi on Friday to take up the issue of ‘injustice’ meted out to the state in the Union Budget 2018-19, and to pursue action on the issues of enhancement of reservations to the Muslims and Scheduled Tribes and categorization of SCs with the Union government.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already left on a tour of West Asia, the Chief Minister could meet only the Union ministers. Tentatively, KCR will stay in the national capital for five days and during his stay he will meet Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and make a representation seeking funds for Mission Kakatiya, Mission Bhagiratha and Kaleshwaram projects. 

The state government has already sought Rs 40,000 crore for completing the state government’s flagship schemes, including the Kaleshwaram project.The CM, who had high expectations on the Centre in the new financial year, relied on the Union government for the completion of the flagship programmes.

As the 2019 elections are crucial for his TRS party, KCR wanted to present a ‘populist’ state budget in March this year. Based on the Central allocations, the state is preparing budget proposals. To meet the increased financial requirements of the state, the Chief Minister has been asking for huge Centre’s help.  

Sources said KCR will meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the issues of delimitation and enhancement of quota for the minorities and Scheduled Tribes in education and employment. The CM will take up the long-pending establishment of AIIMS in Telangana with Union Health Minister JP Nadda and the clearance for the setting up of steel plant with Union Minister for Steel Chaudhary Birendar Singh.

Officials said TRS MPs have sought the appointment of several Union ministers. During his stay, sources said, KCR is likely to meet some national leaders of different political parties and discuss the political developments taking place at national level ahead of the 2019 elections.  

Mounting pressure on the Centre for more allocations, state IT and Industry Minister KT Rama Rao has already met some Union ministers on Thursday and Friday in New Delhi.