The handing over of buildings belonging to Andhra Pradesh in Hyderabad to Telangana is considered as a commendable gesture by the new government in AP headed by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and a big development in the friendly relations between the two Telugu states.
But a section of analysts is wondering whether it is correct on the part of the AP government to forego its right on its properties in Hyderabad, without seeking any monetary compensation.
According to them, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act says all the government properties in the common capital of Hyderabad would be shared between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in the ratio of 42: 58 after bifurcation.
Accordingly, the government buildings in Secretariat, B R K R Bhavan, HACA complex and other locations in Hyderabad would have to be shared between the two states.
“So, the buildings in which AP was operating till date belonged to AP and the fact that the AP government was paying property tax to the GHMC clearly showed that the buildings are owned by AP. If they have to be vacated and handover to Telangana permanently, the AP should get monetary compensation from Telangana to that effect,” a source argued.
However, another section of analysts say that nowhere in the Act was it mentioned that AP was permanent owner of the buildings in Hyderabad.
“They were allotted to AP for functioning till 2024, when Hyderabad ceases to be the common capital. As per the Act, the structures that existing in one state belong to that particular state. It is like Telangana asking for a share in the properties of NTR Health University in Vijayawada,” an analyst argued.
In any case, the issue has been settled amicably between the two states and unless TDP leaders make it a big issue, it remains a non-issue.
