D-Day: T high on anticipation

[Bhargav2010]

HYDERABAD: A ray of hope exists among Telangana protagonists and intellectuals ahead of the public declaration of the Srikrishna Committee report on Thursday. Though many feel that a separate state is a distant dream, anticipation is still high as within the region, nothing short of statehood would satisfy the 4.5 crore people.

As the Centre prepares to hold the all-party meet in Delhi on January 6 before the contents of the report are made public, the general feeling is that a separate T-state is the first step towards progress and change. The people feel that they have been wronged for nearly 60 years and denied their share of funds, jobs and water.

"The Centre must be committed to its December 9 declaration of 2009. Irrespective of the Srikrishna Committee report, people believe the T-state is already a reality with Chidambaram's statement," political analyst Adiram Narsaiah said. A native of Wardhannapet in Warangal district -- the hotbed of Telangana movement, he said the T-sentiment has turned strident over the past one year.

Experts point out that despite accounting for over 40 per cent of the geographical area/population and contributing 76 per cent of the state's revenue, Telangana accounts for less than 30 per cent of the state's expenditure. Prof A Seetaram Naik of Kakatiya University said social change and financial stability would be reflected only in the new T-state. "SCs/STs would get a better deal only if a separate state is granted immediately," he asserted.

Apart from complaints over industrialisation and lack of jobs, another grouse of the region's people is over supply of irrigation water. Nearly 70 per cent of the catchment area of the Godavari and Krishna rivers is in Telangana, but the coastal belt reaps the maximum benefit. "Our water and resources are being usurped by Andhra people. They have become rich while we find it difficult to make both ends meet," rued Rajireddy, a farmer of Huzurabad in Karimnagar district.

Citing an instance, a farmers sangham leader Bhoopal Reddy said though the Krishna water flows through Nalgonda and goes to Vijayawada and Guntur, people of Nalgonda do not have access to the water for irrigation. "Several mandals do not get potable water, while the ground water is high on fluoride content which is harmful to the consumers," he said.

Notwithstanding the loud chorus for separate statehood ahead of the Jan. 6 meeting, Nizamabad TRS leader A S Poshetti said people were fed up with the delaying tactics of the Congress high command. "Many people have sacrificed their lives and so much has been lost. The Centre must respect the aspirations of the people," he added.

While analysts aver that the movement would pick up steam in the coming days, there is a feeling that it could take a violent turn if the report goes against formation of T. TRS MLA of Sircilla K Tarakarama Rao summed up the mood among the people. "The T-sentiment has been there for the last 60 years. And now, people are in no mood to accept anything less than a separate Telangana state," he added.

It remains to be seen whether Jan. 6 would bring cheer to the people of the region or end up as another black day.

Read more: D-Day: T high on anticipation - The Times of India [url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/D-Day-T-high-on-anticipation/articleshow/7225501.cms#ixzz1ACvAhZYm]http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/D-Day-T-high-on-anticipation/articleshow/7225501.cms#ixzz1ACvAhZYm[/url]

[PavanBokkala]

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