Warangal: Focus on rural development

Warangal: Be a part of rural development, Minister for Panchayat Raj Errabelli Dayakar Rao has told he people, launching the State government's new initiative - 30-day special action plan – at Gatla Narsingapur under Bheemadevarapally mandal in Urban district, and Kapula Kanaparthi and Alankanipet in Rural district on Friday.

Speaking at Gatla Narsingapur, he told the gram panchayats (GPs) to prepare an action plan for their overall development. "Each household should have at least six plants in its backyard. It's mandatory for each GP to take up avenue plantation for two kilometers besides taking care of their survival," the Minister said, stating that Sarpanches, who fail to do so, would get a stick. He appealed to self-help groups (SHGs) and youth to make the surroundings green. He said that women would get Rs 3 lakh interest-free loans under Stree Nidhi programme. Referring to hygiene practices in GPs, he told the authorities to slap fine on those residents, who go on open defecation.

People should respect philanthropists like Kaveri Bhaskar Rao, who had assisted in the construction of school buildings in the past, he said. "Bhaskar Rao is inspired by the 30-day action plan and has agreed to donate Rs 2 crore," Minister Dayakar Rao said.

Panchayat Raj and Rural Employment Commissioner M Raghunandan Rao expressed hope that the 30-day action plan would bring in a notable change in Gatla Narsingapur.

Warangal Urban District Collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil stressed the need for prioritisation of works while chalking out an action plan for the development of villages. "The government will provide funds to GPs based on their population - Rs 1,600 per person per annum – to carry developmental works," the Collector said. At this rate, Gatla Narsingapur village would get Rs 64 lakh per annum, this in addition to the annual revenue accrued by it. The village will have at least Rs 50 lakh per annum in its kitty to carry developmental works, after deducting maintenance expenditure, Patil said.

Rajya Sabha member Banda Prakash said that the TRS government during its first tenure had addressed the problems faced by various sections of people.

"Now, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao is focusing on Gram Swarajya with the 30-day action plan. Local bodies will now have a say in its development priority," Prakash said.

MLA V Sathish Kumar said that drought-prone Husnabad constituency has witnessed development since the formation of Telangana. "The government sanctioned Rs 27 crore for Shanigaram irrigation tank, and Rs 6 crore for the Singaraya Project. The work on Gauravelli project would be completed in about three months. Chigurumamidi and Saidapur mandals are set to get Godavari waters through Mid Manair," he said.

Gatla Narsingapur Sarpanch Errabelli Chandrakala, Zilla Parishad Chairman M Sudheer Kumar, MPP Anitha and ZPTC Ravinder were among others present.

Warangal Rural District Collector M Haritha, Narsampet MLA Peddi Sudarshan Reddy and Zilla Parishad Chairperson Gandra Jyothy participated in the programme at Kapula Kanaparthi and Alankanipet villages.