Polavaram area transfer: KCR unhappy over passage of Bill, bandh tomorrow

Says it is a clear violation of Article 3 of the Constitution

Telangana  chief minister, K Chandrashekar Rao, expressed dissatisfaction over passing of the legislation transferring the areas, which would be submerged under the Polavaram project in Khammam district, to the state of Andhra Pradesh. He said this was a clear violation of Article 3 of the Constitution.

In a press release here on Friday, the chief minister described the NDA government decision as unfortunate and undemocratic. “It is unethical on the part of NDA government to pass ordinance in this manner, just because it enjoys majority in the Lok Sabha,” he said.

Rao said the Union government should have taken into confidence the Telangana government and obtained its consent before passing the Bill.

Nevertheless, he said, the fight against the transfer of the areas would continue even though the Bill was passed. Legal luminaries and constitutional experts were being consulted in this regard, added.

The Telangana Joint Action Committee has called for a shut down in the state on Saturday in protest against the passage of the Bill by the Lok Sabha providing for the merger of seven mandals with AP. The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi had also extended its support to the bandh call.

Meanwhile, AP finance minister, Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, welcomed  the legislation. He said this would pave the way for construction of the Polavaram project, which would be completed in three years.