Telangana leads India, says KCR

​Hyderabad: Expressing immense satisfaction over the progress achieved in various sectors in the state, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday said Telangana has become a role model for the rest of the nation to emulate.

"This is a proud moment for all of us. Our focused approach on various sectors of economy in the last four years, we are on course to fulfill the dream of ushering in Bangaru Telangana," the Chief Minister staid, kick-starting Telangana Formation Day celebrations at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad here.

KCR, in his address after inspecting a guard of honor, said he was happy that Telangana had accomplished many successes and made rapid strides in a number of areas. "By launching and implementing one-of-its-kind initiatives, Telangana has become an inspiration for other states. The fact that government higher-ups and top officials of other states visiting our state and showing a keen interest in our schemes and then deciding to explore the same model in their state speaks volumes," he stressed.

In his 35-minute address, KCR highlighted several important programmes, initiatives of his government since assuming power in 2014 besides announcing implementation date for two new schemes.

KCR set muhurat as August 15 for launching the farmers’ insurance scheme and eye-screening tests for all citizens in the state. He said that in case of death of any farmer in Telangana, the respective family would be given Rs 5 lakh insurance within 10 days.

Authorities have been told to include nominee name, as wished by farmer, and this process would start soon, he added. Nearly 18 lakh small farmers, with a farm land of one acre and below, are resorting to extreme steps making difficult for family to make ends meet.

This scheme would ensure financial security to such families, he said. The CM spoke about his government's commitment to restore and give new lease of life to agricultural sector in the state. Loan waiver scheme, 24-hours power supply, timely distribution of seeds and fertilizers, subsidies for polyhouse, mechanisation, drip irrigation, construction of godowns, exemption of MV (motor vehicles) tax on agriculture tractors etc. are some initiatives in this direction, CM added.

The Rythu Bandhu scheme, under which farmers are being given Rs 8000 per acre for investment support, has created a lot of interest all over. Not only is it bringing back smiles on farmers faces, many philanthropists are showing interest to donate money or contribute by some means to the novel scheme, he explained.
Dwelling on the irrigation sector, he said that his government had allocated a massive Rs 25,000 crore annual budget to expedite irrigation projects.

The TRS government took up construction of 23 major irrigation and projects and 13 medium irrigation projects on Godavari and Krishna rivers of which some are completed while others are in different stages of construction, he stated. Palamur-Ranga Reddy, Bhakta Ramadas-Seetaram project and Kaleshwaram project once completed would fulfill irrigation needs of several districts, he said.

The CM said that 2.65 lakh double-bedroom houses including one-lakh houses in GHMC limits are in construction stage. He emphasized on health department initiatives like KCR Kits, 1000 Basti Dawakhanas in Hyderabad, and Dialysis centres in all districts. As part of eye screening tests for everyone in state from August 15, people would be supplied free eye glasses and surgeries would be performed for needy patients, he said.

Due to the one-of-its-kind TS-IPASS industrial policy, 7,155 industries and firms were given permission leading to investment of Rs 1.29 lakh crores and job opportunities for 5.74 lakh unemployed.

The CM also touched on Mission Kakatiya, Mission Bhagiratha, Haritha Haram, land records’ purification and distribution of pattadar passbooks, IT sector growth, residential schools and colleges, friendly policing, increased National Highways length in Telangana during his speech.

The march past comprised contingents from different districts, brass and pipe bands and mounted. However, there was no tableaux parade by different government department highlighting initiatives and steps taken in the department. Also, the customary practice of the Chief Minister handing over Formation Day awards to personalities from various sectors was done away with this time. The awards were given away at a programme held at Ravindra Bharathi in the evening.