The move of the two Telugu states to abolish the Zonal System has been receiving resentment from opposition parties and also various sections of the society. While already Telangana cabinet has taken a decision in this regard, the Andhra Pradesh government has also indicated its interest to follow the Telangana in this regard.

Particularly, people from the backward region Rayalaseema have been expressing apprehensions that would be deter mental for their interests. As already Chandrababu Naidu government is facing accusations of neglecting backward regions like Rayalaseema and North Coastal districts, this move would have potential to flare up angry youth’s patience to ugly extent.

Rayalaseema Parirakshna Samithi (RPS) Chief Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy slammed the State government’s proposal to abolish the zonal system along the lines of the Telangana government. He said in Kurnool that Telangana could abolish the zonal system as it had only one zone whereas Andhra Pradesh had two zones: Coastal and Rayalaseema.

He fears that several unemployed youths from Rayalaseema would lose job opportunities if the zonal system was implemented. He deplored that people from this zone will not be eligible for getting jobs as Rayalaseema falls under fourth zone.

He demanded the government to suspend the idea of abolishing zonal system and to declare Amaravati, a free zone. The Samithi chief further demanded that the government allot jobs quota based on the population ratio.

Expressing concern that Rayalaseema was reeling under severe drought and people were migrating to faraway places in search of livelihood, he said that the ground water levels had dipped alarmingly in December. Byreddy lamented that no measures had been initiated by the government to mitigate the drought and stop the migration.

Demanding the completion of pending irrigation projects on a war footing, Byreddy said he would launch a two-day stir on January 18 and 19 against the negligent attitude of the State government.