Telangana CM seeks Modi's nod for enhanced quota
Hyderabad, Aug 4 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and sought the President's assent for a bill, enhancing quantum of reservation for BCs, SCs and STs.
In his second meeting with Modi in less than two months, Rao discussed various pending issues relating to the state.
He sought the President's assent to the bill for increasing quantum of reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for backward classes, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
The bill passed by the state legislature last year was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for President's assent.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister's office here, during the hour-long meeting Rao discussed 11 issues and submitted letters pertaining to them.
KCR, as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief is popularly known, told the prime minister that the need to increase the percentage of reservations for SCs, STs and BCs arose as the proportion of the population of these sections increased consequent to the formation of Telangana State.
Under the bill passed by the state legislature, quota for STs was increased to 10 per cent from the existing 6 per cent, while that for BC-E category (the backward sections among the Muslim community) increased to 12 per cent from the existing 4 per cent. The total reservations in the state, consequently, will go up to 62 per cent from the existing 50 per cent.
KCR brought to Modi's notice that while capping the total quantum of reservations at 50 per cent, the Supreme Court had also clarified that, if it should exceed 50 per cent, the State shall make out a case showing compelling circumstances for exceeding the limit. He pointed out that Tamil Nadu is providing 69% reservation in the State.
The TRS chief also sought the Centre's approval for new zonal system in Telangana pertaining to the government employment in the state. He called for immediate steps to amend the Presidential Order of 1975 to facilitate implementation of the new zonal system created keeping in view the requirements of the new state.
As the issue of separate High Court is pending since creation of Telangana in 2014, KCR urged the prime minister to expedite the process. He sought immediate steps for establishing a high court in residuary state of Andhra Pradesh so that the High Court at Hyderabad exclusively caters to the needs of Telangana.
KCR reiterated the demand for central grant of Rs 20,000 crores for Kaleshwaram Project being built on Godavari river. He said on completion, it would be the life line of Telangana as it is designed to irrigate 18 lakh acres. The total cost of the project if Rs 80,000 crore.
Early completion of pending railway projects, transfer of defence land in Secunderabad for construction of new Secretariat building, funds for development of backward areas, establishment of Indian Institute of Management (IIM), sanctioning Indian Institute of Information Technology at Karimnagar, and funds to develop the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) in Hyderabad as per the already approved scheme were the other key issues taken up by KCR.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
