Telangana CM meets PM, seeks Centre's nod for various projects

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and sought the Centre's approval for, among others, allotment of certain defence lands in Hyderabad for constructing a new Secretariat complex in the city.

"Among others, the issues discussed with PM are: Nod for zonal system, release of Rs 450 crore for the development of backward districts, additional FRBM funds release and bifurcation of the High Court," an official release said here.

The chief minister also sought funds for regional ring road, allotment of defence lands for building a new secretariat complex and release of Central share of interest on the loans to be given to women societies and farmers, it said.

The new zonal system announced by the state government concerns government employment. Rao requested Modi for the Centre's consent to raise the annual borrowing limit for Telangana by an additional 0.50 per cent of GSDP "as recommended by the 14th Finance Commission," according to the release.

The state borrowings are to be made as per the principles of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act.

The state government has been requesting the Centre to transfer certain defence lands in the city to it for construction of a new Secretariat and to expedite the process of dividing the High Court in Hyderabad between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.