Give your official residence: Shabbir to KCR

Hyderabad, May 20 (INN): Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir has advised Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao to utilise 14 acres of his official residence, instead of taking away land belonging to Osmania University, for the construction of weaker sections housing.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan here on Wednesday, Shabbir Ali said KCR is presently residing in a sprawling bungalow of nearly three acres at Kundan Bagh. He is also acquiring adjacent building of IAS Officers Association of 11.5 acres for his residence. "Why KCR need so much of space for himself and his wife? About 1,000 square yards should be sufficient for the residential purpose. The remaining land can be used to build houses for poor people," Shabbir Ali said. While last Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan stayed in 6-acre King Koti palace, KCR's want to live in 14 acres as he behaves like a 'Double Nizam'.

Shabbir Ali said the move to convert CM's camp office into a housing project would be the easiest decision. "He can begin the construction in just one hour. Having served as Hyderabad District Incharge Minister for five years from 2004-2009, I can identify 10 more such places which can be used for weaker section housing. But KCR should take the initiative by giving away his official residence," he said.

He strongly criticised KCR's contention that hundreds of acres of land was allotted for universities during the rule of Rajas and Maharajas. He said that the previous Congress regime allotted 570 Acres for Telangana University, 300 Acres for Mahatma Gandhi University, 250 Acres for Satvahana University and 200 Acres for Palamuru University in 2008 and 2009. "KCR should understand the difference between a college building and a university. As per the norms, huge chunks of lands are allotted for universities as they serve future generations. Starting with 500 students in 1918, the Osmania University now has an intake of over 10,000 domestic and 5,000 foreign students. These numbers will keep growing every year and therefore, more space is required. KCR should drop his plans to take away OU's land and give up his camp office, if he is really serious on housing for poor," he said.

Shabbir Ali said that the Congress party was not against the construction of houses for poor people. During its regime, Congress Government constructed nearly 45 lakh houses, including 70,000 units in Greater Hyderabad limits. But KCR is cheating the poor people with the fake hopes while trying to target open land belonging to premier educational institution. "As the then Congress CM, YSR had set an example by giving away his personal property at Banjara Hills for road expansion works. KCR too should emulate him by offering his official residence for construction of houses for poor," he said.

He also pointed out that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi has encroached upon about 1700 square yards of nala space at TRS Bhavan in Banjara Hills. "As the then I&PR Minister, I've made the announcement of YSR's cabinet decision taken on November 16, 2004, of allotting 4,800 sq yards @ Rs 100 per sq yard to TRS. Later, TRS encroached upon 1700 sq yards of nala to construction TRS Bhavan. KCR should first remove the encroachment from his party office.

When asked about non-participation of Congress in Swachh Hyderabad programme, Shabbir Ali said that there was nothing new about the clean and green drive. With hype or publicity, the previous Congress Government undertook several drives which won 'Clean and Green' awards for the city on multiple occasions. "Our Government had spent over Rs 1 lakh crore to develop Hyderabad and for the same reason, it became the second 'Must See Destination' in the world.