Strong foundation laid for Telangana prosperity

“Reinventing and Reorienting” is something like taking up a radically challenging new assignment, scheme or way of life. It implies requirement of entirely a new vision for transformation of the state that is newly formed. In the context of Telangana state, it refers to setting the direction and focus in alignment with the new and transformational vision.

It also implies requirement of mobilising and committing the resources – natural, human, financial and material – towards fulfilment of the direction and vision. In all the initiatives that have been conceived, crystallised, prioritised and taken up for implementation in the state, there is every evidence available of an evolving and formulating vision for transformation, commitment with mobilisation and involvement of maximum stakeholders, alignment of resources with the direction and implementation of various programmes in journey towards the transformational vision.

Doing more with less
From a stage of insufficient staff to handle the administration Telangana moved to a stage where it could manage with the available officers which was a big challenge the state faced. From a power cut state, it moved to round-the-clock uninterrupted power supply state including to agriculture sector. From a stage where taxes were collected from farmer, it moved to a stage of investment support scheme for agriculture. The unorganised agriculture sector has been brought into an organized one through Rythu Samanvaya Samithis. The Yadavas and Kurumas get sheep on subsidy, the fishermen get fish seed, and these are only a few to name.

Challenges from day one
From the day one, the challenges that were confronting KCR and the state were: the format for Telangana state budget and the funds flow; the likely sources of income and methodology for resource mobilization; tackling the promise of agriculture loan waiver; coping with fee reimbursement; bringing in KG to PG free and compulsory education; designing irrigation projects as a priority item; providing drinking water to all the habitats; providing power without cuts; organizing housing for poor; job creation; single window industrial policy; police reforms; brand image of Hyderabad city; massive and schematic plantation; our Village and our Planning; land purchase scheme for Dalits and many more in that order. All these were viewed in the context that the present Telangana state had never existed before in this form and must be viewed as a new state and therefore, needs a historical beginning.

Against this background, and within a short time of the formation of the State, Telangana had undertaken major strides towards transition from a shackled economy to a growth-oriented, people-centric and welfare-oriented governance. Its approach to the development of the State is not growth versus equity but growth and equality being addressed in tandem.

Economists reckon that some inequality is needed to promote growth, but recent evidence suggests that inequality can impair growth if people with low incomes are not educated and suffer poor health and low productivity as a result. Therefore, CM firmly believed that mere growth has no meaning and even legitimacy if the deprived sections of the society are left behind. Inclusive growth should not only ensure a broad flow of benefits and economic opportunities, but also encompass empowerment and participation. The initiatives taken by the State since its formation have been entirely guided by these compelling imperatives.

Initiating responses
CM KCR took up the challenge and in the process number of Schemes like Mission Kakatiya for renewal of water bodies; Mission Bhagiratha for piped water to all homes; two-bed room houses for poor; SHE Teams for ensuring women’s safety; social safety net like Aasara Pensions, marriage schemes for girls like Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak; Telangana ku Haritha haram-the biggest green drive in India; redesigning and expediting Irrigation Schemes; solar power for the farmer, investment support scheme for agriculture, subsidy scheme for distribution of sheep, as well as a New Industrial Policy besides making ease of business a reality, were all meticulously worked out. As the days passed more and more challenges provoked the government propelling it to conceive many more welfare and development schemes benefiting almost all sections of society.

The daunting task
KCR and his government had no clue in the beginning with regard to the formulation of budget for the year 2014-2015, the first year the government came to power. It was a big challenge. There was no clue for the presentation of that year’s budget as the state was not aware of the actual resources position of the state. CM made it very clear to the senior officers that Budget was not a mere financial statement of accounts but a document that would unveil the Government’s policies which are in tune with the aspirations and needs of the people.

The challenge was how to ensure equitable development of all areas and sections of society. Recognizing this imperative, the government has affected a paradigm shift by adopting the decentralized model of development, “Mana Vooru – Mana Pranalika”, through which suggestions were sought from people at village and ward levels to assess their felt needs. In addition, a first of its kind comprehensive house hold survey, “Samagra Kutumba Survey” was taken up on August 19, 2014 and completed on the same day. This was a record, which was widely acclaimed.

To identify the major priority areas in each sector and resources required based on these inputs, the State government constituted 14 task forces. Based on the reports of the task forces, the first Budget of the Telangana State was presented to the State Legislature on November 5, 2015. Thus, the first Telangana Budget was a major departure from the past both in its approach and content, despite not having full comprehension about the financial position of the State.

By: Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao
(Writer is CPRO to Telangana CM)