Andhra Pradesh celebrates 53rd Formation Day amid protests from TRS

Amid protests by Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Andhra Pradesh celebrated its 53rd Formation Day today.

Addressing a gathering at a function organised by the state government at NTR stadium here, chief minister K Rosaiah said the government would strive towards realising the goal of all-round development of late chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

"The government would continue its policy of giving equal priority to development, welfare and good governance. We will continue the subsidies given to people to protect them from the impact of global economic slowdown," Rosaiah said.

The government would continue efforts to enhance investments on the 'Jalayagnam' (irrigation mission), power projects, ports, airports and roads to promote infrastructure development, he said.

On the industrial front, the capacity of Vizag Steel Plant is being increased from three million tonnes to nine million tonnes. It would promote employment opportunities substantially, he said. The state would get the Rs6,000 crore power plant equipment manufacturing unit, a joint venture of BHEL - NTPC, in Chittoor district soon, he said.

For the development of the Andhra Pradesh capital, the 'Maulana Abdul Kalam Hyderabad Sujala Sravanti' drinking water scheme has been taken up to provide 24-hour drinking water supply, Rosaiah said.

Efforts are underway to build roads, fly-overs, metro rail project and other infrastructure facilities in the city, he said. The chief minister handed over meritorious awards to policemen and other government employees on the occasion.

Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu unfurled the national flag at his party office in a grand function. Naidu said the credit for highlighting the pride and self-respect of Telugu people goes to late NT Rama Rao and the Telugu Desam Party.

Senior leaders of Praja Rajyam Party celebrated the Formation Day at the party office as party president Chiranjeevi was away on a tour. Alleging that Formation Day is a sad moment for Telangana, the TRS observed the occasion as a day of betrayal.

Scores of TRS leaders and activists were detained in Hyderabad and several towns in Telangana region as they held demonstrations waving black flags.

Senior TRS legislator T Harish Rao and few other party leaders were detained at Sangareddy in Medak district as they tried to interrupt the speech of information minister J Geeta Reddy during the official Formation Day function.