Hardly five weeks have passed to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and a formation of Telangana state and the two states are finding themselves snarled in several bitter disputes and controversies.
Narendar Modi led NDA government at the Center is finding itself in the crosshairs as Telangana Rashtra Samiti government in Telangana was feeling aggrieved that the Center was tilting more in favor of Andhra Pradesh, ruled by its ally the Telugu Desam. A look at the issues, which have become bone of contention between Telangana and residuary State of Andhra Pradesh.
Transfer of seven Mandals or Blocks of Khammam district of Telangana to Andhra Pradesh: It was originally mooted in the AP State Reorganisation Act of UPA government to ensure smooth completion of Polavaram Project on river Godavari. Centre decided to transfer those areas to Andhra, which were facing submergence in Polavaram. The TRS Government is opposing it.
Division of government employees: Telangana was insisting on division of employees on the basis of nativity. It wants the employees from Andhra and Rayala Seema to go back to their own places and serve AP government and only those born in Telangana should serve the new state. But Andhra Pradesh government and Seemandhra employees want an option to remain at the place they were currently serving. The delay was affecting the functioning of both the governments.
Sharing of river waters: Already sensitive issue has become more complicated due to the failure of monsoon rains and water level in all the major reservoirs touching the lowest ebb. Telangana had resisted the release of Krishna river water from Nagarjuna Sagar to Krishna delta region for drinking purpose but had to give in under the pressure of center and Krishna river management board.
Power: Andhra Pradesh Government created a controversy by deciding to cancel the Power Purchase Agreement between the power producers and the distribution companies to ensure that it get the sufficient power. Telangana government and the State Electricity Regulatory Commission have rejected it. Both the states were reeling under severe electricity crisis worsened by the failure of monsoon. Issue is hanging fire.
Though the two Governments were allotted important buildings in Hyderabad through a painstaking process: But AP government was unhappy with what it was given. It was especially unhappy with the old Assembly building as it lacks necessary facilities. Same is the grouse of AP employees working the state Secretariat. Putting up a barbed fencing between the Telangana and AP parts of Secretariat only highlights the emotional divide.
Sharing of revenue: AP's biggest grouse is that it was deprived of cash cow called Hyderabad, which generated 70% of the state revenue. They were demanding compensation of sorts from the Center in form of grants. In the first three months of this financial year, all the taxes amounting to Rs 6000 crore were collected under the account of United Andhra Pradesh. As per the reorganization act, Telangana should get 42% of it. But AP was holding it back on the ground that they would have to first calculate the income and expenditure before dividing the balance.
Telangana was bitterly opposed to handing over the power of law and order over Hyderabad to the State Governor: AP government was demanding to increase those powers to ensure protection of life and liberty of Andhra settlers living in Hyderabad. Telangana government's move of clearing encroachments by demolishing building was being seen by AP as selectively targeted at Andhras.