By: Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao (CPRO to Telangana CM)
Telangana as the newest and 29th state of India was formed on June 2, 2014. Telangana Rashtra Samithi by securing majority of seats in the state Assembly formed Government with Sri K. Chandrashekar Rao as the First Chief Minister. The Government completes one year in office on June 2, 2015.
Telangana is the result of decade’s long struggle of people protesting against discrimination and injustice. The present Telangana state was never before in this form and has to be viewed as a new state. An historical beginning has to be made. This new State has a lot of catching up to do to fulfill the ambitions of its people. Accordingly the State Chief Minister Sri K. Chandrasekhar Rao has left nothing to chance in fulfilling his election promises and marching the state forward towards the ultimate goal of making it, “Golden Telangana.” The development and welfare schemes that are conceived for the past one year have been grounded and implemented with commitment. Be it creating a civic amenity, drinking water supply, laying of roads, Haritaharam, women’s safety, new industrial policy, promotion of agriculture and horticulture, the ambitious Mission Kakatiya, a slew of welfare measures, weaker sections housing scheme, distribution of land to Dalits, or any other program, the Chief Minister gave his personal touch. He defined, designed and ensured their delivery meticulously. The Chief Minister from time to time, has been personally reviewing these programs and ensuring prompt action. Like an ideal leader, CM Chandrasekhar Rao is leading his Cabinet by example and thus becoming a role model to his ministerial colleagues. Needless to say, his Cabinet Colleagues are implementing his style of functioning in true letter and spirit for the good of people.
Foresight is one of CM’s most important qualities, because he should be able to recognize problems on the horizon and find solutions good for both the short term and long term. With this foresight the Chief Minister had conceived projects like Water grid which envisaged supply of drinking water to every tap in every household in the state. When he believes something is wrong, he plainly says it is so and does everything in his power to fight against it. When something is right, he is willing to overcome any opposition to preserve and spread it. Like a true statesman, CM has a vision for his state that encompasses several decades in future. He knows where he wants to take them and what it will take to get there. Unlike other run off the mill politicians, Sri K. Chandrashekhar Rao instead of tailoring his rhetoric to the public mood, speaks to the very best that exists within people, understanding that powerful rhetoric can articulate, bring forth and activate sometimes deeply buried ideals. His authority derives from his belief in what he says. He does not make emotions soar and burn with empty promises, but instead keeps his word and does what he says he will do. This can be seen in every scheme he conceived and in every promise he made.
The Chief Minister’s reviews are not just confined to involving a few senior officials and cabinet minister concerned. He has a knack to involve field level officers. In the process he has interacted among others with MROs, MDOs, Forest range officers, Junior Engineers etc. In his direct interaction with these officials at the grass root, the chief minister has ensured that they have committed themselves for the proper implementation of all the programmes, projects and schemes.
The best example for KCR’s style of governance is Collectors’ conference held in April 2015. In this Conference, unlike in the past, all the district level officers are invited to be involved in the deliberations. Valuable suggestions came from several of them. This has resulted in programs like Mission Kakatiya, Water Grid and Haritaharam, Irrigation Projects etc being implemented totally through Government staff and without any outsourcing. The technical knowhow for any such program is provided by Government technocrats only.
A variety of development and welfare initiatives has been conceived and grounded involving every department. They include civic amenities, irrigation projects, water grid, roads, swachh Telangana, haritaharam, industries, power, cleaning of Hussainsagar, Kalyanalaxmi, Shadimubarak, Aasara pensions, land distribution to Dalits, housing etc.,
Going into details:
The Telangana Drinking Water Supply Project originally conceived as Water Grid envisages coverage of about three crores population in the state with an outlay of Rs. 38.5 Crores. It aims at providing safe, adequate, permanent, sustainable and secured water supply covering Rural, Urban and Industrial areas. It further envisages supply of potable water at 100 Litres Per Capita per Day (LPCD) for rural areas, 135 LPCD for Municipalities and 150 LPCD for Municipal Corporations. Apart from water for domestic use, the project is planned to meet the water needs of commercial entities, industrial units, Special Economic Zones, etc. Industrial demand is considered as 10% on overall domestic demand. Krishna, Godavari rivers, Tributaries and reservoirs are proposed as Sources. The entire state is proposed to be covered with 26 segments. For every two-three Assembly Segments there would be one water treatment plant totaling 67. There would be 4430 KM primary pipelines, 44, 466 KM secondary pipelines and 38, 506 KM distribution network. For laying pipelines there would be about 12,140 crossings of roads, highways, canals etc. Government of Telangana has enacted the “Right of Way” Act to facilitate effective implementation of the project. Chief Minister who periodically reviews the progress of the scheme keeps on saying that it is a challenging task to complete the project. HUDCO and NABARD together have already assured funding to the scheme to a tune of Rs 13000 Crores and in addition the government plans to mobilize market bonds. The Chief Minister is so confident of implementation of this project that he repeatedly says that he would not seek votes in the next elections if it is not implemented before that. In each district the District Collector directly supervises the project implementation. To execute and maintain the Telangana Drinking Water Supply Project, the Government has constituted Telangana Drinking Water Supply Corporation with Chief Minister as its Chairman and Minister Panchayatiraj and Information Technology as its Vice Chairman. Government of India and several state governments appreciated the scheme.
Immediately after formation of Telangana State the Chief Minister concentrated on Irrigation Projects. As per the Bachawat tribunal award the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh was allocated 811 TMC of Krishna water in which the Telangana share was put at 299 TMC and 1480 TMC of Godavari water in which Telangana share was put at 921 TMC. Allocation of only 299 TMC as assured water from Krishna is itself unacceptable. When allocations were made Telangana state was not in existence.
The then governments never bothered about Telangana interests and Telangana projects. This resulted in lesser allocations to Telangana then. Now that the state has been formed there is demand for rightful share and increase in the allocation. The Telangana State approached Union Government under Interstate Water Disputes Act to setup fresh tribunal for allocating Krishna waters afresh including review of subsequent Brijeshkumar allotment of surplus waters. In fact even to fully utilize the assured and surplus waters there are no well conceived designed projects in the state. Even the existing few projects are for name sake. Even the projects designed during the Hyderabad Government such as Upper Krishna Right Bank Canal Project, Tungabhadra Left Canal Project and Bhīma Projects were deprived to Telangana. Against this background Chief Minister with his personal engineering touch initiated designing of new projects. With the help of Google maps, geographical conditions, aerial surveys and other available information he is exploring various options for constructing new projects. He decided for reengineering of whole irrigation projects. CM also has taken initiative to maintain cordial relations and avoid any controversy with neighboring states while designing projects. Efforts are in progress to keep on track the Pranahita project. This project enables Telangana to utilize 160 TMC of Godavari River water. CM held several meetings with engineering experts on how to go about the project. He has also initiated steps for reengineering projects on Godavari River like Kantanapally, Devadula, Dummugudem, Pranahita, Indirasagar and SRSC Stage 2. With regards Krishna River based projects, to help fluoride affected Nalgonda district and provide irrigated water Nakkalagandi project is being taken up on priority basis. In addition Palamoor lift irrigation is being designed. Government is all set to lay foundation on Nakkalagandi and Palamoor projects.
Realizing the importance of reclamation of tanks for growth in the state, the Government of Telangana State has taken up a long lasting scheme of restoring the minor irrigation sources under the title “Mission Kakatiya”.
The mission aims at retrieving the lost glory of minor irrigation in the state with community participation for ensuring sustainable water security. The objective of Mission Kakatiya is to enhance the development of agriculture based income for small and marginal farmers, by accelerating the development of minor irrigation infrastructure, strengthening community based irrigation management and adopting a comprehensive programme for restoration of tanks. Tanks have been the life line of Telangana owing to the state’s geographical positioning. The people of the state are highly dependent on the tanks which are spread across all the 10 districts. The topography and rainfall pattern in Telangana have made tank irrigation an ideal type of irrigation by storing and regulating water flow for agricultural use. As per the enumeration, the total number of tanks is found to be around 46,531. The irrigation department has planned to restore all the 46,531 minor irrigation sources in the state in next five years, taking up 20% (around 9000) of the tanks each year. Minor irrigation through these tanks will make a provision for usage of 265 TMC of water. The Chief Minister actively participated at several places in the Mission Kakatiya works. Number of individuals in general and NRIs in particular and institutions have come forward and donated amounts to the scheme.
For any state to progress, one of the essential prerequisites is availability of adequate power. Chief Minister’s concerted efforts and vision has slowly and steadily positioned the state in a comfortable position in the power front. Rural Electrical Corporation has agreed to fund to a tune of Rs. 24,000 Crores to Telangana State GENCO power projects of 6280 MW installed capacity. They are 800 MW at KTPS, 1080 MW at Bhadradri in Manuguru of Khammam District and 4400 MW at Damaracherla in Nalgonda District. In addition to Rs 24, 000 Crores of funding from REC, the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) agreed to fund Rs. 15, 000 Crores for the same projects and TS GENCO will fund Rs. 3000 Crores totaling Rs. 42, 000 Crores. This apart, NTPC as mandated by Government of India will be spending Rs. 24, 000 Crores for its 4000 MW Project and Singareni Rs. 4000 Crores. Another Rs. 21, 500 Crores will be invested in solar projects and evacuation and transmission lines parallel. Thus the total investment for 10, 280 MW of power plants in the next four years will amount to Rs. 91, 500 Crores. With regards the 4000 MW of plants to be executed by NTPC, work has already commenced on 1600 MW plant at Ramagundam. Bhadradri Thermal Power Station (4×270 MW), Kottagudem Thermal Power Station (1×800 MW) and Yadadri Thermal Power Station (5×800 MW) projects are grounded. For the remaining 2400 MW work will be shortly commenced at Damaracherla in Nalgonda District. Thus Damaracherla with 6800 MW of power plants becomes the Ultra Mega Power Plant and there is no such plant in the entire country anywhere. This is a unique honor that has gone to Nalgonda District. In all by the end of 2015 production will reach 7779 MW, by 2016 end 10509 MW, by end of 2017 it will go up to 11345 MW and by end of 2018 it would be 20, 600 MW. In addition from Chhattisgarh 2000 MW more will be available. There would also be 2000 MW of solar power totaling 24, 600 MW by 2018. There shall not be any power cuts in Telangana state which the state has already been experiencing for the first time.
“Telangana ku Haritaharam” is one of the flagship programs announced by the Chief Minister envisaging increase of the tree cover of the state from 24% to 33% of geographical area. As part of this, in the coming three years 230 Crore seedlings are proposed to be planted in the State. Out of this 130 Crore seedlings are proposed to be planted outside the notified forest areas-10 Crore within HMDA limits and 120 Crore in rest of the area of the State. It is also proposed to rejuvenate 100 Crore plants inside the notified forests by way of intensive protection of the forests and encouraging the live root stock. This means 40 Crores plants every year. The Chief Minister has also given a call to increase the number to 320 Crores to make it more effective. The CM suggested increasing number of plants to 60-70 crores from next year. Nurseries have been developed and the seedlings are ready for plantation all over the state. In the recent Collectors’ conference the Chief Minister said that the first week of July shall be observed as Haritaharam week as a participatory program and Collectors should evince keen interest in plantation. Growing of trees is the only alternate to increase rainfall and reduction of monkey menace. He suggested that the trees proposed to be planted in forest should be of wild fruit bearing ones. The plants should include medicinal and aromatic plants. The Haritaharam shall be a peoples’ movement according to Chief Minister. “Haritham, Shivam, Sundaram” should be the motto of the program.
The Government has earmarked an amount of Rs. 27, 000 Crores in the budget for welfare measures. The Chief Minister has reiterated that none of the eligible persons should miss any of the benefit and under any circumstances ineligible should not be considered. The Government as part of its welfare measures and social safety net strategy introduced the Aasara pensions. It has enhanced the monthly Pension from Rs.200 to Rs.1000 for old age persons, widows, weavers, toddy tappers and AIDS patients and from Rs.500 to Rs.1500 for disabled persons. The Telangana State Government has also decided to extend the financial assistance of Rs. 1000 under Aasara Scheme as a special case to Beedi workers.
KALYANA LAKSHMI and SHAADI MUBAARAK are two important schemes introduced by the government benefiting unmarried SC, ST and Minority (including Sikhs and Christians) girls below the poverty line, on their marriage with a view to alleviate financial distress in the family. Under the Scheme, a onetime financial assistance of Rs.51, 000 shall be granted to them. The State Government has kept this scheme under Green Channel and simplified procedures and certificates. For effective implementation of the scheme, the Chief Minister has issued clear instructions to the authorities, that, poor families who will be benefited by the scheme should not have any hurdles in obtaining financial assistance. MROs and RDOs are made responsible to receive applications and their verification.
Women Safety has been given utmost importance in the state. Towards achieving this, the state police have become very tough in its functioning. SHE Teams are introduced in Hyderabad city to begin with. Eve teasing which was a big nuisance once is under control now. The officers of ‘SHE Team’, who are in civil dress, are deployed near colleges and other public places. These teams have created good impact in Hyderabad and Cyberabad by curbing eve-teasing and harassment. There is a lot of deterrence. Women are coming forward to complain. The initiative has been successful in Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police Commissionerates limits. It is going to be expanded to entire state. After formation of Telangana State the government has recognized the importance of police department and as a result the Telangana Police has a recognition and appreciation all over the country.
Industrialization holds the key for fostering economic growth, creating employment and ushering in prosperity to the people. Industrialization holds the potential for fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the people of Telangana. Government has accordingly decided to bring in a new Industrial Policy which will inspire both international and domestic industry groups, investors and entrepreneurs to choose Telangana as their destination of first choice. The Telangana State Government unveiled the new industrial policy framework by bringing legislation. Before preparing the policy document, similar policies in existence all over the world were studied and the best one has been drafted. The stated vision for industrialization is, “Research to Innovation, Innovation to Industry and Industry to prosperity.” “Innovate in Telangana, Invest in Telangana, Incorporate in Telangana” is the motto of industrialization in the state. Telangana State Industrial Project Approval and Self-certification System (TS-iPASS) is a “single window without grills” for clearing all investment proposals. The Chief Minister says that creating appropriate industrial environment is crucial for development like welfare measures and promotion of agriculture. At a time when there is heavy competition among states and among countries it requires expertise by state government to attract investors which is being done. Power crisis which was a major problem earlier is no more now. Effective planning has been made to take the state to 24, 000 MW production capacity by 2018. As it is, the state has done away with power cuts. For industrial development Telangana State and Hyderabad is in an advantageous position compared to many states and cities. Hyderabad is in the earthquake free and non-extreme weather zone. Adequate power, land, water and hassle free administration is in place. Several investors are in queue to establish industries in the state. As of now about 1.5 lakhs of Acres of land is readily available in the state for allotment to investors and another 5 Lakh Acres will also be made available in due course.
As part of Information Technology major initiative, the first ever Photonics valley in the world will be coming-up in Telangana State shortly. Towards this a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed. Both, the Government of Telangana and PhotonIC agreed to collaborate in setting-up an ecosystem to facilitate the institutionalization of all processes and concepts related to photonics. Establishment of Telangana Academy for skill and knowledge centre and launching of Wi-Fi connectivity are other initiatives. Achievements among others include, foundation stone for T-Hub at Gachibowli, proposed world congress on IT, MoU with Amazon and Google, Cyber security etc.
The CM envisaged a special growth engine project for the up-liftment and economic development of the SC community. He says that, “Telangana needs to be reinvented and reoriented.” Land Purchase Scheme is a Flagship Programme of the Government. It has decided to allot 3 Acres of land to Dalit families who are below the poverty line and depend on Agriculture as their livelihood. The scheme was formally launched on 15th August, 2014 in Hyderabad by the Chief Minister and at 9 District headquarters by Ministers on mission mode. The poorest of the poor SC women beneficiaries who are absolutely landless agricultural families shall be given up to three acres of land in the 1st phase and other SC beneficiaries having small pieces of land i.e. ½ acre, 1 acre, 2 acres etc. shall be provided with balance extent of land to make them land owners of 3 acres each, in the next phases. A comprehensive package is envisaged in the implementation of Land Purchase Scheme in order to provide irrigation and other facilities as well as cost of cultivation for one crop year. The Land Purchase Scheme is being implemented with 100% subsidy and without any contribution from the beneficiaries and also without bank linkages. Consolidation of lands in dalit segments has also been envisaged.
Government has decided to issue Food Security Cards to all eligible BPL families in the state. In order to ensure this income has been revised and fixed at Rs. 1.5 Lakhs in rural areas and Rs. 2 Lakhs in urban areas. Land ceiling has been increased to 3.5 acres wet and 7.5 acres dry land. While the process of issue of cards is on, all eligible families are given rice @6 KG per person per month at one rupee per KG with effect from January 1, 2015. At present 2. 86 Crores persons are covered under the scheme with a monthly allocation of 1.80 Lakh metric tons per month. Subsidy per year works out to Rs. 2200 Crores.
The State Government of Telangana considered that students in the hostels and those benefited under Mid Day Meals programme should be provided with nutritious and good quality food and took a conscious and pragmatic decision to supply superfine preferred varieties, which are called “Sannabiyyam” (Fine Rice), to them. The Government ensured that there is no diversion of these superfine (Sannabiyyam) rice into the black market or for recycling. The Chief Minister told the Collectors to make surprise visits to welfare hostels to ensure implementation of the scheme as well as hygienic conditions. They need to allot a day in every month to spend with inmates.
The Chief Minister, while leading the movement for separate statehood to Telangana, gave a serious thought on education and how it should be once the state is formed. That was how the KG to PG concept took a shape. The CM is of the firm opinion that everything these days operate on global pressure and like others the Telangana children should also compete with the world. This can be made possible if only medium of instruction is English and Telugu is made as an optional language. The Government Schools should be located in about 8-10 Acres of land and education to be imparted to all irrespective of caste and religion as well as haves and have-nots. There shall be no separate hostels. Even the children of ministers and senior officers should study in Government schools. One such school on an experimental basis would be established in every Assembly segment.
In accordance with the consensus reached in the all party meeting, Chief Minister decided that Government land and surplus land under Urban Land Ceiling to an extent up to 125 Square Yards which are in the possession of poor people to be regularized at free of cost. Government has also issued orders for regularization and transfer of rights on lands over and above 125 Square Yards to persons in possession on payment basis. Accordingly government issued orders known as GO 58 and GO 59. Time limits were fixed and were subsequently extended keeping in view the response. Later Government took a decision to regularize extents in excess of 125 square yards under G.O.58 for notified and non-notified slums up to 150 square yards @ 10% and 25% of the amount payable respectively on the total basic value of the land. Further the amount payable on the basic value of the land under GO 59 was decreased and payment of amount has been allowed in five installments, the first installment being 12.5% of total payable amount. The details are: Up to 250 Square yards 25% of the basic value (calculated as on 02.06.2014), Up to 500 square yards 50% of the basic value and Above 500 Square yards 75% of the basic value. Total number of applications received under GO 58 are 3, 54,799 and under GO 59 are 29,281. Process of the applications is in progress.
In the name of weaker sections housing program, the earlier government has shown on record that an estimated 55 Lakh of houses were built and thousands of crores of money was spent. In fact this figure does not match the ground reality. These houses said to have been built are not physically in existence. Even the few houses that were built are of one bedroom and as a result they are inadequate for any family to stay. The government having taken note of this very seriously ordered for a thorough probe by CID. The government further decided to build for each of the poor family, a Two Bedroom House with a hall, kitchen, bathroom and lavatory. It is proposed to build G+1 and G+2 models in urban areas and independent houses in rural areas. On an experimental basis, in IDH Colony in Hyderabad city housing program has been successfully taken up. Total expenditure is borne by the government. It is the intention of government that there shall not be any poor family without an own house. The Chief Minister always says that housing for all is the social responsibility of government. A decision has been taken by government to make a beginning in Hyderabad to build 2 Lakhs flats for weaker sections in about 2000 acres of government land spread across the city including posh areas like Jubilee hills and Banjara hills. Selection of beneficiaries will be done by revenue and intelligence to identify the real needy families.
Towards strengthening primary, secondary and tertiary Medicare in the state the Chief Minister initiated several measures aimed at streamlining the entire hospital system. The effective functioning of district hospital as a district unit is being evaluated. Creation of Health Districts on geographical basis on the lines of Tamil Nadu is proposed. For every 25-30 villages one 30 bed Primary Health Centre, for every 100-110 villages one 100 bed hospital, one multi specialty hospital for every health district as well as few super specialty hospitals would come up in the state. Reputation of the government hospitals should be bettered. Medicare in rural and tribal areas has to be improved and doctors are to be encouraged by providing suitable incentives to work there. Hospital Administration has to be qualitatively improved. It is also proposed to construct twin towers in the Osmania Hospital premises in place of the age old building. Both Niloufer and Gandhi hospitals would be strengthened.
Development and repair works of Roads under R and B as well as Panchayatiraj has also been taken up on war footing. Renewal and special repair works of 10, 000 Kilometers at the rate of 100 on an average per constituency are either grounded partly or at tender stage. Widening of 149 Single lane roads to double lane roads connecting Mandal Head quarters to District head quarters of 1996 Kilometers has also been taken up. Widening of 260 single lane roads to double lane roads covering a length of 2720 Kilometers in all assembly constituencies is also being done. In addition to above widening works, 389 bridges either in dilapidated condition or requires widening across river Krishna and Godavari are in progress. Total 14,716 Kilometers of improvements is being taken up with a cost of Rs.10, 664 crores under R and B. Under Panchayatiraj the Government has decided to connect all unconnected habitations with weather proof roads. Effective and periodic maintenance of all existing roads to prevent deterioration due to wear and tear and to provide comfort to road users is the priority of this government. In the process Black Top (BT) of all roads connecting Gram Panchayats to mandal Headquarters is taken up. It is proposed that BT renewals to be taken up for 14, 500 Kilometers, 4160 Kilometers of WBM roads to be upgraded to BT, strengthen 20, 000 Kilometers of WBM-gravel-earthen roads and construct 173 bridges. In total under Panchayatiraj 38, 660 Kilometers of roads are to be developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 6000 Crores.
An innovative campaign “Swachh Hyderabad” to make Hyderabad a clean and green city involving various stakeholders has been taken up by the Government with Chief Minister’s initiative. Hyderabad is divided into 425 geographical units and each unit is adopted by a Patron or Mentor. Tons of loads of energy has been pumped into Swachh Hyderabad program in which right from Governor, Chief Minister, People’s Representatives like MPs, MLAs, MLCs irrespective of political affiliations, Cantonment Board Members, IAS, IPS, IFS Officers took part with each leading one unit. In order to enlist people’s participation 15 local change agents drawn from different walks of life from each unit totaling 6000 were chosen by the unit Patron or Mentor. This unique program in which around 36, 000 persons volunteered themselves, paved way for achieving besides clean and green Hyderabad, a new leadership, people’s participation and empowerment. Several problems both individual and community have been addressed during the campaign like Nalas repair, Drainage repair, drinking water, establishment of hospitals and educational institutions, housing for poor etc.
Civic Amenities are given a thrust through urban local bodies. These include provision of individual and community toilets, top priority for sanitation, garbage collection from every house by providing plastic bags, provision of dumping yards, vegetarian and non-vegetarian markets in every municipality, sensitization of urban land usage, provision of Bus-bays to regulate traffic, bus shelters, common burial grounds and crematoriums, LED street lights, improvement of green cover etc., A day in every month is to be observed as Urban Day to solve Urban related problems and issues. Similarly a day in a month will be observed as Rural Day. Towards making Hyderabad a Universal and Global City Government has initiated a Strategic Road Development Plan with Rs. 20, 000 Crores. As part of this in first phase 200 model markets, 250 public toilets, 175 bus bays, 50 multilevel parking complexes, 36 graveyards, 36 lakes development program and 50 multipurpose function halls are being taken up. In addition gymnasiums, sports grounds, e-libraries, open spaces and parks are also planned.
As a tribute to the glorious history of the state of Telangana, a classical building to house the Telangana Kalabharathi will be built in Hyderabad. It will have four auditoriums with a seating capacity of 3000, 1500, 1000 and 500. Plinth area of the building will be roughly 1, 25,000 square feet with 125 by 125 square meters dimensions. The Government has decided to construct in Hyderabad Banjara Hills a 24 storied Police Command Control Building with all modern amenities.
Waiver of Crop Loans is another election promise that has been fulfilled. Taking into account the plight of the farmers, the state government put in place a Farmer Debt Waiver Scheme under which the outstanding crop loans up to one Lakh Rupees per family are waived. An amount of Rs. 4,250 Crores has been credited to the loan accounts as first installment. An equal amount has been allocated in this year’s budget. An estimated 36.33 lakhs farmers are benefitted under the scheme. This is the first of its kind initiative taken by any state government in the country to comprehensively address the problem of farmers’ indebtedness.
Our Village-Our Plan, Sanction and payment of Input Subsidy, Telangana Increment to Government Employees, Pay hike to Government and RTC employees, Girijan Tandas as Gram Panchayats, Abolition of Road Taxes on Autos and Tractors, Loan waiver to Power loom workers, Planning for a Pharma City and Textile Park, Salary hike for Anganwadi workers, provision for Official Status to Telangana Festivals, welfare fund for advocates and journalists, development scheme for Yadagirigutta temple, honoring poets like late Kaloji and Dasarathi, honoring Telangana leaders like PV Narasimha Rao, Konda Laxman Bapuji, Kaka Venkataswamy, Professor Jayashankar and Easwaribai, celebrating Komaram Bhim Jayanthi, Health University in Warangal, formation of Telangana Samskruta Sarathi, cleaning of Hussainsagar in Hyderabad city, signal free traffic system in Hyderabad, etc. are few more initiatives of the Telangana Government.
Promises made in the TRS election manifesto have been converted into action oriented schemes and programs and are being implemented one after another by the government. Each and every scheme has been thoroughly discussed with the concerned minister and officials several times and roadmap has been prepared in consultation with them. In some cases consensus has been arrived in meetings with opposition party leaders. Chief Minister constantly reviews the progress of implementation of all these schemes. Each one of these schemes and programs are steps for marching the state forward towards achieving Golden Telangana.
Chief Minister has embarked upon giving a new definition to the word, “Development.” For him, development would not merely mean just laying roads, constructing bridges, buildings and other such infrastructural activity. Development for the Telangana State CM is an overall change in the living standards of the people in general and those oppressed and depressed classes in particular.