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14.04 hrs.
The Lok Sabha re-assembled after Lunch at four minutes
past Fourteen of the Clock.
(Mr. Deputy-Speaker in the Chair)
MR. DEPUTY- SPEAKER: Now, we shall take up Matters under Rule 377.
Title: Need for formation of a separate State of Telangana.
(MEDAK): Small States are formed for development and growth of all the regions at par. This also fulfils the aspirations of the people. The newly formed three States, that is, Uttaranchal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are excellent example for this. In a democratic polity, people have a right to equal opportunities. As a sequel to this, people identify their rights with their region and whenever their region is not developed properly or is neglected, they feel that their rights are violated due to neglect of their region. Therefore, the reorganization of the country does not stop at one point. There have been demands made for separate States of Telangana and Vidharba. The demand of these regions for a separate State is as old as 45 years. In fact, Vidharba and Telangana were favoured Statehood in 1956 itself by the States Reorganisation Commission. But this was not done.
As regards Telangana, I would like to state that the formation of unified Andhra Pradesh had only helped and benefited the coastal and Rayalaseema region at the cost of Telangana. The people of this backward region can be helped only when their region is developed, and that can be achieved only when they get Statehood.
I, therefore, request the Government to seriously consider this issue for formation of the State of Telangana.