KCR and Pinarayi exchanged views on a wide range of issues from IT sector’s growth to welfare schemes, development of tourism, health tourism and beauty of Kerala.
The Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, was all praise for the welfare programmes and schemes launched by the Telangana government in general and the way it had emerged as the number one State in the country in Ease of Doing Business, in particular. He was explained in detail how the State could move ahead in the past two and half years to revive the distinct identity of Telangana.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao hosted his Kerala counterpart at his Pragati Bhavan residence and after lunch, the two CMs exchanged views on a wide range of issues, right from the growth of IT sector to the marked improvement achieved in law and order situation. They also discussed implementation of welfare schemes, development of tourism, health tourism and beauty of Kerala.
Land for guesthouse at Sabarimala
Chandrashekar Rao took the opportunity to take up with the Kerala CM issue of land allotment for the construction a guesthouse for pilgrims from Telangana bound for Sabarimala. The two governments have already signed a draft MoU in this regard, but the land issue is pending with the Travancore Devasthanam Board.
Ease of Doing Business
Vijayan was all praise for the TS for emerging as the top State in Ease of Doing Business in the country. He was informed that the innovative and hassle-free industrial policy like the Ts-iPASS, Single Window clearances and other such pro-industrial friendly policies of the government had helped Telangana make rapid strides in the industrial sector. Telangana is attracting huge investments in all sectors.
Land reforms
The Kerala Chief Minister evinced interest in land reforms and maintenance of land records in Telangana. He was explained in detail the land reforms and maintenance of land records since the Nizam’s period dating back to Salarjung’s days.
KCR said pucca record system was in place and these records were updated on a regular basis.
In the past, people used to trust each other so much that they used do the land transactions on a white paper. The TS government had begun registering such Sada Bainama land records. So far the government had received about 11.5 lakh applications and the registration process is on.
Showcasing IT
IT Minister KT. Rama Rao who was present at the meeting apprised the Kerala CM of the rapid strides that TS made in IT and IT enabled services sector. KTR said that five major IT companies like Microsoft, Google, and Apple have their headquarters in Hyderabad.
KTR said that all the major IT companies in the world have their back-office operations based out of Hyderabad and that was how the city made a beginning in the IT sector. “We are now ranked two after Bangalore in the country and very soon we will be surpassing Bangalore,” the IT minister said.
The minister informed the Kerala CM that Goa had already singed a MoU with TS for exchange of IT knowledge. Kerala can also sign a similar MoU with TS, he suggested.
PR institutions
Vijayan touched upon Panchayat Raj institutions in Kerala and their functioning. He was explained about Dr MCR HRD Institute, which trains bureaucrats and other officers on a regular basis. KCR also spoke about the Centre for Good Governance, which is also part of the Dr MCR HRD institute’s campus.
Culture and tourism
The two CMs exchanged views on culture and tourism of both the States. KCR complimented Kerala for being number one in the promotion of tourism. “You are bestowed with nature’s beauty. No wonder people refer to Kerala as God’s Own Country,” the CM said. The Kerala CM talked about Kerala’s Ayurveda system, which is popular across the world. He also spoke about healthcare, hospitals and health tourism of Kerala.
Law and order
Vijayan was informed of the excellent law and order situation in the State, thanks to the strong counter intelligence system, deployment of 15,000 CC cameras in the city which would be increased to 1 lakh, constitution of SHE Teams, community policing.
Welfare programmes
On welfare programmes, KCR told Vijayan about a plethora of schemes launched by his government, some of them being first in the country. He explained about Kalyan Laxmi, Shaadi Mubarak, 2 BHK houses and Asara pensions. He was told that the TS government was spending Rs. 36,000 crore on the welfare schemes. He also talked about the residential schools being set up for various sections of people.
Source: Telangana Today