Centre Issues 13 Guidelines To Make Governor The Super CM Of Telangana!

The Union government is treating Telangana, India’s 29th State, as a special case, if it’s latest letter to the State is anything to go by. Somehow either the Centre thinks Telangana people are unfit to rule themselves or simply can’t get out of the deadly embrace of Andhra capitalists invested in Hyderabad.

The Centre wrote to Telangana government to entrust ‘special responsibilities’ to the Governor in maintenance of law and order in Hyderabad, as if Hyderabad is in the throes of a civil war and badly needs a rescue from Centre. The letter has been signed by MHA Joint Secretary S Suresh Kumar.

The Telangana Government immediately snapped, with Chief Secretary Rajeev Sharma replying to the Centre within two hours of the receipt of the letter that the law & order over Hyderabad is non-negotiable and is a State subject.

CM KCR vehemently opposed the Centre’s moved as unconstitutional and against the federal spirit.

The 4 page letter from Centre has enlisted 13 points, the subjects of which would be Governor’s concern. We are providing below the 13 points.

This is the second time the Centre quoting provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act, had written to the State government to change its business rules. Earlier, it issued a circular on same lines and developed cold feet later. Now it seem to be back with the same old game.

Following are the 13 points on which Telangana state government has to cede power to Governor.

1. The Governor shall have power to call for any record or information or decision of the Council of minister or any authority relating to the responsibilities envisaged under Section 8 of AP Reorganisation Act 2014.
2. The Commissioners of police of Hyderabad Cyberabad as well as the SP of Ranga Reddy district shall furnish periodical reports of Law and Order to the Governor in addition to special reports on all grave and specially grave crimes in the common capital area.
3. The Governor shall have the power to issue a direction in accordance with the Provision of Law or Regulation.
4. The Governor will be assisted by Advisors appointed by the Government of India. The Governor shall allot the responsibilities between the Advisers as deemed fit from time to time.
5. For the Purpose of matters falling under law and order, internal security and security of vital installation as well as the two police commissionerates of Hyderabad and Cyberabad and for the district of Ranga Reddy, The home secretary of the state of Telangana shall brief the Governor on all matters mentioned above as well as those that have special significance and the Governor may convey his views which shall be placed before the appropriate authority. The Governor’s advice shall prevail.
6. A Special Cell each, headed by an officer not below the rank of IG in both the commisionerates and headed by a senior officer in the office of SP, Ranga Reddy, shall be set up to deal with hate crimes and crimes related to extortion or any other specified crime as well as to ensure speedy trial. Wide publicity would be given to the contact numbers of the officers of these cells so as to enable the citizens to contact them directly.
7. A special cell to deal with issues concerning internal security and security of vital installations with a senior office-in-charge shall be set up in both the commissionerates and in the office of SP, Ranga Reddy. The special cell shall also identify sensitive establishments/ institutions and report to the Governor through government of Telangana on the adequacy or otherwise of the security arrangements of the said establishments/ installation. The cell shall undertake a review of the existing security provided by the Special Protection Force (SPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) etc. and suggest additional measures, if considered necessary to ensure fool proof security of the notified installations. The Governor may suggest measures to strengthen the security arrangements based upon the information made available and the threat perceptions, which shall be binding. A Nodal Officer from the senior arrangement cadre shall be appointed in all the notified vital installations, who shall be responsible for furnishing periodical review reports on the security status of the installation and for implementation of the recommendations of the Special Cell.
8. A Police Service Board comprising DGP Telangana and the commissioner of police, Hyderabad and Cyberabad shall be set up exclusively for the state of Telangana in the context of law and order administration of the common capital area of Hyderabad to handle the transfer and postings of all officers including DCPs, ACPs and SHOs. The Governor shall have the power to suggest and approve such changes as he deems fit, as per the best judgment.
9. In case the Governor considers it necessary in view of the situation, as per his best judgment, to requisition additional forces for deployment he would ask the state government to examine this issue and communicate the decision to the Governor. This decision will be subject to review U/S 8 of the Act and the Governor’s decision shall be final after such review.
10. The Governor can call for a report or assessment from the state government of Telangana on any acts of omission and commission by any official and direct the government to conduct an enquiry and take appropriate action as per law.
11. In case of exigencies, the Governor can call for a report or assessment from the state government of Telangana upon which he can ask the state government specifically for relocation of the staff on a temporary basis in case of any contingency.
12. The management and allocation of buildings to all the departments of both the successor states shall be decided by the Governor on the advice of the Cabinet of Telangana state based on recommendation of a committee of senior officers constituted for the purpose keeping in  view of requirement and availability of accommodation. The decision of the Governor shall be final.
13. To ensure the safety of the property of the people residing in the common capital area of Hyderabad, the collectors of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts as well as the commissioner of GHMC shall set up Grievance cells for redressal of grievance and the affected parties shall have right to represent themselves. The Governor can issue necessary directions to the officials of the state government of Telangana for the protection of the property rights of the aggrieved.