Hyderabad Bus Bhavan A Block allocation sparks dispute
HYDERABAD: Allocation of the ‘A’ Block in Bus Bhavan in Hyderabad to the Telangana Commercial Taxes Department has triggered a dispute, with the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) raising objections.
APSRTC said the Telangana government took a unilateral decision despite the asset division process between the two states remaining incomplete. It sought that the decision be kept in abeyance.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad wrote to Telangana Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao on Tuesday, requesting suspension of the order.
Meanwhile, the APSRTC regional manager, who operates from the ‘A’ Block, is learnt to have complained to Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) Managing Director Nagi Reddy.
Offices shifted, tensions rise over access
Around 12 to 15 APSRTC officials and staff work from Bus Bhavan to manage bus services operating between Andhra Pradesh and Hyderabad. They currently function from the ground floor of the ‘A’ Block, while upper floors remain locked.
Following the Telangana government’s recent allocation of the block to Commercial Taxes officials, their entry into the premises and subsequent developments led to the dispute.
Agreement cited, committee recommendations recalled
APSRTC stated that Bus Bhavan, built as its headquarters before bifurcation, has a total area of 1,25,000 sq ft, divided into ‘A’ and ‘B’ blocks, each with 62,500 sq ft across five floors.
During the 2015 bifurcation, both corporations agreed to allocate the ‘A’ Block to APSRTC and the ‘B’ Block to TGSRTC.
An expert committee headed by retired IAS officer Sheila Bhide submitted recommendations on November 2, 2018, on division of RTC assets. Bus Bhavan in Musheerabad was listed among common assets, and TGSRTC agreed to treat it as a shared headquarters.
APSRTC said a final decision on asset division is still pending. However, Telangana permitted shifting of Commercial Taxes offices from Panjagutta and Secunderabad divisions into the ‘A’ Block without Andhra Pradesh’s consent. It urged that the order be put on hold.
RTC workers’ union demands clarity
Separately, the Telangana RTC Workers’ Union demanded clarity from the state government on the issue.
Union leaders Rajireddy, Saireddy and Yadaiah alleged that Commercial Taxes officials “forcefully occupied” the ‘A’ Block. They said asset division between APSRTC and TGSRTC is yet to be resolved and neither state has exclusive rights over Bus Bhavan.
They demanded that the state government immediately vacate the Commercial Taxes department from the block.
