KCR Meets Modi, Seeks 20k Cr For Kaleshwaram, HC

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release Rs 20,000 crores for the Kaleshwaram irrigation project in the state.

During his 50-minute meeting with Modi in Delhi along with Chief Secretary S K Joshi, KCR extended thanks to the Prime Minister for the project receiving all the permissions necessary, and sought immediate release of the funds.

The state government had already spent Rs 25,000 crores on the Kaleshwaram project, and the project would turn a lifeline for the state as it would bring about 18 lakh acres under irrigation in a majority of the 18 districts as also cater to drinking water needs, KCR explained.

He also requested Modi to get approval from President Ram Nath Kovind for the new zonal system proposed for the state.

The Chief Minister also submitted appeals on 10 key issues pertaining to the state, including clearance for pending projects, a separate High Court, and other promises of the bifurcation act including division of the assets forming part of the 9th and 10th schedules and financial assistance to backward districts in the state. He also requested the Centre's go-ahead for 12% reservations for Muslims and 10% for STs.

The Chief Minister also requested Modi to take steps for completing the Manoharabad-Kothapally and Akkannapet-Medak railway lines, and the survey for Kazipet-Karimnagar, and giving land for a new Secretariat at the Bison Polo grounds. Other issues he touched upon prominently included sanction of an IIM to Telangana, assistance for an ITIR in Hyderabad, and increasing the number of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in the state.

The meeting assumes significance as the Chief Minister was calling on the Prime Minister after his federal front proposal to take on the Congress and the BJP at the Centre in the 2019 elections.