The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Rayalaseema Hakkula Ikya Vedika releases charter

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 16, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Rayalaseema Hakkula Ikya Vedika releases charter

By Our Staff Reporter

KURNOOL, AUG. 15. The Rayalaseema Hakkula Ikya Vedika released a five-demand charter here on Sunday to place the region on an even keel with other areas of the State. The Vedika organised the first public meeting inviting people from the four Rayalaseema districts and Prakasam and Nellore to debate the demands of the region. President of the Vedika, T.G. Venkatesh, who presided over the meeting, said the priority of the body is to demand development initiatives in the region rather than fight for statehood.

Direct action

Mr. Venkatesh said he and his colleagues were not interested in demanding the constitution of regional boards or committees, which only help rulers buy time. Instead, the process of development should start immediately as Rayalaseema was lagging behind in many respects compared with Telengana. Creation of a development council would provide jobs to leaders but there might not be any noticeable change. Similarly, committees would take a longer time to give reports by which time people would lose tempo.

He said the Sribagh pact promised capital or High Court bench for Rayalaseema and larger share in the Krishna water but nothing happened. He said Rayalaseema was subjected to exploitation in the name of unified State. Existing industries were also closed down and Adoni lost its reputation during the unified state rule. During British times, the town flourished as the `second Bombay' with spinning mills and solvent extraction units.

More Krishna water

Mr. Venkatesh said they would bargain hard in case Telangana is separated or the Government holds talks for keeping the State together. The Vedika demanded larger allocation in the Krishna waters for Rayalaseema region, laying of gas pipeline to the region, removal of anomalies of employees, establishing of second capital and High Court bench in the region and special package for the promotion of educational institutions in the areas of information technology, biotechnology and other professional courses.

Kurnool MP Kotla Suryaprakasa Reddy was called upon to spearhead the movement for protecting the interests of the region. Former Minister E. Ayyapu Reddy and others spoke. Leaders from Nellore and Prakasam were also present.

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