Centre, State at loggerheads over Hyd-Karnataka

Cabinet opposes move to vest Governor with powers on development

At a time when people of Hyderabad-Karnataka are rejoicing the decision to confer special status on the region, the Centre and the State governments appear to be heading towards a confrontation over delegation of powers to take up development works in the backward region.

The State Cabinet on Tuesday decided to oppose a draft Constitutional amendment Bill by the Centre which seeks to empower the Governor to take steps for development of the region, and recommend that the power should be given to the State government.

“Empowering the Governor to take up development results in concentration of power. The State will not allow it. The Cabinet decided to ask the Centre to empower the elected government in the State to take up the development, especially in creation of employment and education,” Primary and Secondary Education Minister Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

He said the Centre had recently sent the draft bill to the State, seeking its opinion. The Cabinet has authorised Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar to send a detailed reply in this regard before the commencement of the winter session of the Parliament.

The region, including the districts of Gulbarga, Bidar, Raichur, Koppal, Yadgir and Bellary, will benefit if the State government takes up  development works by utilising funds released under the special status, Kageri said.

The bill seeks to empower the Governor to set up a development board for the region, ensure equitable allocation of funds and provide for reservation in educational and vocational training institutions.