Hyderabad known for its cosmopolitan nature: KCR

In an attempt to checkmate the BJP, which is trying to make in-roads in Telangana, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday announced Delhi like 'free water' scheme and free power to barber shops, salons, laundry shops and dhobi ghats across the state. Releasing the election manifesto for December 1 GHMC polls, the Chief Minister said the manifesto reflects the TRS government's concern for sections that had been badly impacted by the twin issues of coronavirus-triggered lockdown and its aftermath as also the economic slowdown that has hit the country hard. 

The Chief Minister said free water would be supplied to households that consume not more than 20,000 litres a month from December 1. This would provide relief to about 97 per cent of the households in GHMC limits, he said.

Coming to the rescue of the film industry, the Chief Minister promised to reimburse the state GST for small budget films up to Rs 10 crore, allow theatres to increase number of shows per day and make ticket pricing flexible as they have been incurring losses due to dry run during the past eight months. The minimum demand power charge of HT and LT categories of industries, cinema theatres and commercial firms will also be waived for the six month period of the lockdown.

The sops do not end here. The government also intends to waive Motor Vehicle Tax to the tune of Rs 267 crore for two quarters of the current year. This will benefit 3,37,611 vehicle owners.

Describing the State capital as a bouquet of different flowers, KCR said Hyderabad had emerged as a top cosmopolitan city in the country. "This is probably the only city in the country which can boast of having a Gujarati Galli, a Parsi Gutta, a Sindhi colony and an Arab colony, which reflects the cosmopolitan and secular fabric of the city," he said.

Among other promises made were Metro rail services to Shamshabad airport, linking Musi with Godavari and boating in Musi, more TIMS hospitals in the city so that it will help promote Hyderabad as a global destination.