Hyderabad, December 06:The state government has decided to pass a resolution in the Assembly in the ensuing winter session urging the Centre to withdraw clause 14(F) from the Presidential Order that would end the controversy over Hyderabad Free Zone. It also decided to withdraw criminal cases filed against the TRS Chief, Mr K Chandrasekhara Rao (KCR) in connection with his fast-unto-death.
Speaking to the media after a meeting with his Cabinet colleagues, the Chief Minister, Mr K Rosaiah, said that the government has already filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against its ruling on Hyderabad free zone. Mr Rosaiah exuded confidence that the outcome of the review petition would be in favor of the state government and Hyderabad would not be a free zone.
Considering the demand of the Telangana employees’ and students’ unions, the state government has decided to introduce a resolution in the winter session of the Assembly on the controversial Hyderabad free zone. In this regard, a notice would be sent to the Legislative Assembly Speaker, he added. “I will personally request the Speaker to take up the resolution in the House in two or three days”, he added.
Stating that his government has taken the decision to ease the tense situation prevailing in the Telangana region, the Chief Minister said that the cases filed against KCR as a preventive measure in connection with his fast-unto-death would be withdrawn immediately. The Chief Secretary has been directed to communicate the matter to the Magistrate concerned, he added.
Stating that his government was not standing on prestige over KCR fast, Mr Rosaiah requested the fasting leader to withdraw his hunger strike. He also appealed to the TRS Chief to cooperate with the government to protect law and order in the Telangana region.
Expressing concern over the passive attitude of the police during the vandalism resorted by the TRS activists on Saturday, the Chief Minister said that asking the police to maintain peace does not mean that they should lay down sticks and remain silent spectators when the agitators resorted to damaging properties. There was no need to issue orders to the police every time when violence broke out, he said, adding that the policemen were trained how to react when law and order problem arises.
The Chief Minister regretted that the vandalism by the agitators on Saturday caused panic among the business establishments, particularly, the IT sector. The IT industries were gripped in fear over the safety of their units. Pointing out that the state occupied second place in IT exports, the Chief Minister said that the government has moral responsibility to protect the public and private properties.
Replying to a question on KCR demand for a clear announcement on Telangana statehood, the Chief Minister said that it was not in his hands. “Whatever is in my hand, I am ready to do it. I am ready to sit and discuss with KCR”, he added.
The ministers, Dr J Geetha Reddy, Mr Ponnala Laxmaiah, Ms Sabita Indra Reddy, Mr D Sridhar Babu, Mr Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Ms D K Aruna, Ms Sunitha Laxma Reddy, Mr Jupalli Krishna Rao, Mr Damodar Raja Narasimha, Mr Balineni Srinivas Reddy and Mr Botsa Satyanarayana were present. (NSS)