Charting out a list of developmental activities and presenting the achievements of Telangana after the state formation, minister KT Rama Rao interacted with the Indian diaspora in Zurich, Switzerland. The minister who is on a visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum meeting participated in the ‘Meet and Greet’ event organised by the NRIs in Switzerland.
Speaking at the event, KTR said that the state has achieved an all-around development in every sector. “With pride, I can say Telangana’s development is integrated, inclusive and holistic,” he said.
KTR said that on one side IT exports, and on the other side, agricultural production in the state has grown by leaps and bounds. And Palle Pragathi and Pattana Pragathi programs have transformed the villages and towns respectively.
Highlighting that it was the Telangana government which improved basic facilities in villages by understanding their needs, KTR said, “No other CM in independent India has understood the rural life as KCR did.” KTR added that today, every village has a dump yard, nursery, Vaikunta Dhamam. Also, every village has been provided with a tractor and 10% of the budget has been earmarked as a green budget.
The minister reminded that in the agricultural sector, the government has initiated pathbreaking programmes like Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Beema, 24-hour free power to farmers and irrigation facilities. “KCR has set a target to provide safe drinking water to every household and he has achieved it,” said KTR.
Mentioning that the state has improved its green cover by 7.7% through Haritha Haram, KTR said that although the centre is non-cooperative, it was forced to confer awards on Telangana as the state’s progress was difficult to be ignored.
Ripping apart the criticism on debts, KTR said that debts made for investing in infrastructure, power, irrigation, and agriculture are not debts but an investment for the future. “The centre has made a debt of Rs. 100 lakh crores but have they used it for any beneficial purpose,” KTR asked.
Stating that today India is the global capital of poor people, the minister took a strong objection to call welfare schemes freebies. “Only those who have no idea about India’s socioeconomic profile will mock welfare schemes,” said KTR.
The minister also urged the NRIs to take part in Telangana’s development and promote the state to attract more investments and employment opportunities.