Telangana Legislative Assembly demands special state status

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Legislative Assembly adopted a resolution seeking 'special category state' status for the newly formed state.

"Telangana has all the qualifications to be given the special state status. The Centre should treat both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on equal basis," Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said here, moving the resolution.

Leaders of other parties supported it. The Assembly also adopted a resolution opposing merger of seven mandals under Bhadrachalam revenue division, which would be affected by the Polavaram irrigation project, with Andhra Pradesh.

The House asked the Centre to withdraw its ordinance in this regard.

"Merger of these seven mandals with AP is unconstitutional," Chief Minister Rao said, moving the resolution.

Telangana would suffer severe loss if the Polavaram project was built without changing its design, he said, adding that "Telangana Assembly totally opposes this".

In another resolution, the House hailed teenagers M Purna and Anand who recently scaled Mount Everest. The government announced a reward of Rs 25 lakh each for the two students besides five acres of agricultural land. The House adopted a resolution to the effect.

Their coach, Sekhar Babu, would also be given a reward of Rs 25 lakh.

Another resolution adopted by the Assembly sought immediate division of the state high court, following the bifurcation.