Will Telangana CM's Request Lead to Restoration of Five Villages from Andhra Pradesh?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Amaravati, Feb 16 (NationPress) The Telangana Agriculture Minister, Tummala Nageswara Rao, had a discussion with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Monday, where he urged for the restoration of five villages that were incorporated into Andhra Pradesh in 2014.
Nageswara Rao informed the press following the meeting that legislation from Parliament is necessary for these five villages to be returned to Telangana.
He reminisced that in 2014, the Central Government had merged seven mandals from Telangana’s Khammam district with Andhra Pradesh to aid in the construction of the Polavaram project on the Godavari River.
The minister, who represents Khammam district, emphasized that to enter Telangana from Bhadrachalam town, one must pass through these five Andhra Pradesh villages.
Nageswara Rao indicated that legislative assemblies from both states should pass resolutions to petition the Centre for the transfer of these villages back to Telangana.
He noted that Chief Minister Naidu reacted positively to his appeal.
An official statement from the Andhra Pradesh government mentioned that various matters requiring collaboration between the two states were part of their discussions.
Nageswara Rao expressed optimism that the completion of projects such as roads, irrigation, and railways in the border regions would benefit the residents of both Telugu states. He elaborated on these projects to the Chief Minister.
The Telangana minister stated that high-level consultations between the two governments would address these matters.
Last November, Nageswara Rao had communicated with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Naidu, advocating for the return of five villages near the temple town of Bhadrachalam to Telangana due to their “significant historical, religious, tribal welfare, and administrative importance.”
“These settlements are situated like an enclave surrounded by Telangana lands, with the Godavari River and reserved forest areas on the other sides, leading to administrative challenges for both states,” he remarked.
Rao added that there have been continuous requests from the local populace, notably from tribal communities, for the restoration of these villages to Telangana over the past decade.