SAVE THE UNITY OF ANDHRA PRADESH (finalized proposal)

OUR PROPOSAL TO SAVE THE UNITY OF THE TELUGU NATIONALITY AND PRESERVE AND DEVELOP ANDHRA PRADESH

OUR PROPOSAL TO MISGUIDED SEPARATE TELANGANA PROTAGONISTS

Dear Telugus of all regions, especially the separatists of Telangana,

We have noticed that mainly the grievances - real or illusory - about educational and employment facilities, that too chiefly in the public sector and government departments and agencies - coupled with so-called victimization in the political power sector have generated the separatist movement and maintains it. However, as far as Andhra Pradesh is concerned, it has been irrefutably established that the Telangana region has developed in all fields subsequent to 1956 and in many fields faster and better than the other two regions.

Due to no-quota system in posts above Class II government employees and in the headquarters of various departments, it seems the share of Telangana employees in those classes of employment falls below 40% (roughly its numerical share of population of the State) and is generating ill-advised ill-will. But the Telangana people have to realize that the reservation system itself is a legacy of the colonial past, divides the people and generally obstructs merit and progress, and so the sooner it is done away with the better. Equality of opportunity is more important and equal and decent facilities are the desideratum. Even so, we propose that for the coming 10 years let there be 40% quota for Telangana residents (i.e. those who are eligible under the current formula as Telangana residents having resided continuously for not less than 7 years) in Gazetted posts of the State Government also. Of course they will be free to freely compete in the rest of 60% open category also. But there have to be no backlogs, we mean if vacancies cannot be filled in the specific year they will be thrown into the open category. [All efforts be made to induce the private sector also to take like measures in their policies of employment (to non-managerial posts)]. Thereafter this concession will have to, and shall, lapse.

As for as the education sector is concerned we think the present system is OK and Telangana students are not facing any discrimination or victimization in admissions and other facilities.

As for as political power is concerned, we suggest that let a Telangna 'native' (we mean a person who is born and brought up in Telangana) [of whichever party or front that comes to power] be the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for the next 10 years. The present system of about 40% quota in other ministerial berths is working well and needs no change. I personally would like to do with all quotas after these 10 years. But don't mind continuance (minus the Chief Minister's post of course) of that later on until all agree amicably to do away with it.

Also let there be a Regional Council for Telangana within the united State as suggested by the Srikrishna Committee.

I [Convener of this forum] personally desire that the capital city be immediately shifted to the historic capital of all Andhras - Orugallu or Warangal - till a new capital is built in a nice way, and more beautiful and comfortable than Chandigarh, in a central area contiguous to all the three regions within 10 years from now.

We also suggested, and still do so, that the name of the State be changed to ANDHRA - TELANGANA - SEEMA.

We are confident that if such measures are adopted and worked out with support from all sections of people, all rivalries, antagonisms and animosities will vanish soon and our state and our Telugu nationality will develop fast and better to new heights of prosperity and glory and take the first place among the diverse nationalities of India.

I. MALLIKARJUNA SHARMA, Advocate
Editor, LAW ANIMATED WORLD (http://lawanimatedworld.blogspot.com/)
& Convener, TELUGU JATI AIKYATA VEDIKA (http://telugujativedika.blogspot.com/)