The Telangana Chief Minister, K. Chandrasekhar Rao opined that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was not a reflection of true federalism but only partial federalism and one has to wait and see for its results.
Expressing his views on the GST with the former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu and Chairman of Kasturi & Sons Ltd, N. Ram, the Chief Minister said that there were divergent opinions on the GST slab system and one has to wait for the Centre’s reaction on the issues raised by the State.
Mr. Ram, who was in the city for a book launch, made a courtesy call on the Chief Minister at the Pragati Bhavan, and also presented his book Why Scams are here to Stay. They discussed contemporary issues, Telangana Statehood movement and the growth path of the new state.
The Chief Minister shared the journey of the Telangana agitation, and how the 1969 agitation sowed the seeds of his aspiration of seeing a separate Telangana State. He recalled how he suffered the police lathis in the agitation and his father’s close association with Marri Chenna Reddy, who led the 1969 agitation, and how the 10-day stay of Chenna Reddy in his house influenced his thought process.
The CM also informed Mr. Ram how the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru described the merger of Telangana with Andhra as nothing but expansionism of the Andhras. However, Andhra leaders, who had close links with Nehru during the freedom struggle, succeeded in merging Andhra with Telangana. “We never had links with Delhi as we were under Nizam’s rule,” he said.
When Mr. Ram asked him about his priority on irrigation, the Chief Minister said 4000 TMC of water was available per year in Godavari and Krishna rivers and proper utilisation of it could have benefited the combined Andhra Pradesh. He said leaders from Andhra region discriminated against Telangana area and despite availability of such large amount of water Telangana had to depend on ground water with 24 lakh pumpsets, which was the highest in the country.
The CM also shared why he had to come out of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) despite being the Deputy Speaker. He said with 29 MPs and playing a key role in NDA rule, Mr. Chndrababu Naidu had become arrogant and he had no other option but to come out to launch the Telangana movement.
When Mr. Ram asked about his belief that he would achieve the State, he said it had to happen and what he predicted during the Telangana movement was turning out to be true. “With 21 per cent growth rate, we are number one in the country,” he said.
Mr. Ram invited him to visit The Hindu whenever he is in Chennai and the CM responded positively. The Chief Minister, who accorded a warm welcome to Mr. Ram, saw him off till the vehicle.