Telangana in throes of all-round development : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Telangana in throes of all-round development

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

The Hans India (29-05-2018)

The biggest challenge before Government was to transform Telangana from a power cut-deficient state to power-cut free and surplus state. It did this so successfully that today the whole country is looking at Telangana to know as to how it could do this. Now, power is supplied uninterruptedly without resorting to even a minute power cut. This scenario is expediting the development in the state. From first January 2018 Government has been providing round the clock power to agriculture sector also which is the first of its kind in the country.

Government has liberated farmers from the perils of power shortage, which they have experienced for decades together. Thus, Government is committed to provide 24x7 power to all households, agriculture, industry, commercial businesses and public needs. This development has kindled a new hope and aspirations among the farming community. There is an increase in the industrial output growth due to uninterrupted and quality supply of power.  To augment power supply the state has grounded Manuguru, Kothagudem and Damerachela projects adding 5,880 MW power.

To make State self-sufficient in power, the existing installed capacity was increased from 6,574 MWs to 14,913 MWs. In an endeavor to make the State power surplus in near future, another 13,420 MW capacity power projects are at various stages of completion. In addition the Solar Policy 2015 of the State aimed at adding 5000 MW. Telangana is the leading State in solar power generation in the country (2,792 MW). In the days to come, the Telangana State will become power surplus state.

Doubling farmers’ income…. Rythu Bandhu Investment Support Scheme

Doubling the farmers’ income is an important framework of government and towards this it has initiated several measures. Several steps have been taken to address the agrarian distress and to revive the farm sector in the State and to revamp the rural economy by reviving the traditional activities such as, sheep rearing, fisheries dairy, etc.  As the members are aware outstanding agricultural loan of Rs. 17,000 crores were waived in four instalments. Government fulfilled the promise given to the farmers, by releasing the last instalment of Farm Loan Waiver. In all, an amount of Rs 16124.38 crore was released, benefiting nearly 35.30 lakh farmers in the state.

Investment support scheme for agriculture, namely “Rythu Bandhu” of Rs.4000/- per acre (Total Rs 8000 per acre), in both the crop seasons, towards purchase of inputs such as, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, labor costs, benefiting 58 lakh farmers cultivating over 1.42 crore acres in the State during the Yasangi and Summer seasons is announced by KCR Government. From May 10, 2018 government distributed cheques towards the first instalment and on November 18, 2018 the second instalment will be loaded in to their pre-paid cards. This will go a long way to revive the agriculture sector and help farmers to come out of the vicious cycle of debt trap. 

In addition, Government has announced an innovative insurance coverage for farmers in the state whereby farmers would get Rs 5 lakh insurance cover in case of ill-health or accidental death. Various schemes like ‘green houses’, input subsidy have taken off well over last three and half years. Government has taken various initiatives to diversify the cropping pattern to high value crops. Crop colonies are being promoted in the State to increase the farmers income.

Sheep distribution-creating wealth of rs 25000 crore

Government has decided to create a wealth of Rs. 25,000 crores in the state within three years for the Yadavas and Kurumas through the first ever innovative sheep distribution scheme on a massive scale. The scheme is expected to transform livestock economy and allied traditional occupations in the state, thereby making the Yadavas in the state, the richest in the country. The plan is to give 20 sheep and a ram to every Yadav and Golla Kuruma family in the state. It would mean distributing 15 million sheep in two years for Rs 10,000 crore to bring every Golla - Kuruma community under the scheme. This is the moving bank of productive assets in the form of animal husbandry to support the rural communities. State wide mobile Veterinary Clinics are organized to take care of the Sheep that were imported into the State and other animals.

KCR kits scheme for mother and child and health care

Yet another challenging task government has taken up is the “KCR Kits” scheme for the benefit of pregnant women. “KCR Kit Scheme” with 16 essential items useful to both mother and child is aimed to encourage institutional deliveries at public health facilities. It is painful that pregnant women often go to work for their survival and for living. This will often prove fatal for both the mother and child. Government has taken a humanitarian view on this and introduced KCR Kits programme. Since the government feels that pregnant women should not go to work, the loss is borne by the government and they are given Rs 12,000 in three equal instalments of Rs 4, 000 per person. An additional Rs 1000 is given to the woman if the new born happens to be a girl child. This is also a gap bridging activity to save the wage loss of pregnant women. Telangana has achieved the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) in health Sector.