CM KCR Sixth State Formation Day Address
Public Gardens, Hyderabad (02-06-2019)
Greetings to People of Telangana
on the occasion of State
Formation Day….
The state of Telangana,
which is the result of a relentless Great movement first of its kind in the history
of our country and having completed five years of its successful existence, is
entering into the sixth year. Telangana is marching ahead and progressing as a
most fruitful state. With incredible resolve the state is moving forward in its
journey towards growth. If we can recap and reminiscence the past five years as
a state, it will come to our mind that we could overcome several hurdles and
obstacles. There are innumerable extraordinary success stories in the process.
Five years is a small period in a state’s history. However, considering the
results we achieved these five years period was an invaluable one.
The state that was formed
amidst many a doubts and misconceptions, in a very short time, proved all of
them as baseless. Tremendous maturity and expertise were exhibited in
governance and administration without giving any scope for discordant and
flurry. Without any undesirable consequences and maintaining perfect law and
order the state is marching ahead on progressive path.
The erstwhile united AP
rulers predicted and cracked jokes that Telangana if it is formed will be
plunged into darkness and the Telangana people will not be capable of
governance and administration. Contrary to their expectations, when Telangana
started advancing on progressive path in all fronts, the same people who
derided and ridiculed have become dumbfound.
This is the collective
victory of people of Telangana who stood united and achieved with
determination. The confidence of people of Telangana on us that those of us who
spearheaded a relentless and non-compromising struggle to achieve the state
would also take the new state forward in the path of progress, has been kept up
cent percent. By giving equal importance to both development and welfare we
initiated the process of reconstruction of the state.
The results of the
elections that were held in the recent past to the state legislative assembly
reflect the government’s performance and to what extent people were impressed
by it in their heart and heart. In every election from Panchayat to Parliament,
every time, the victory was on our side and people gave us an unprecedented
mandate. Treating the benedictions and blessings of people as a great asset and
strength we are rededicating ourselves for the all-round development of the
state.
As a result of forward
looking and efficient fiscal policy of the Telangana Government, giving no
scope whatsoever it may be for political corruption and adopting strict
financial discipline, today, Telangana has emerged as a powerful force
stabilising itself as a state of progression. Our state registered on an
average 16.5% revenue growth rate during the past five years. If the same trend
continues, in future, the indications clearly show that the state’s revenue
will witness a multiple growth rate. To further expand the development of the
state this is a positive evolution.
We were able to
demonstrate during these five years some permanent solutions to several
critical problems that the state has been facing during the past half a
century. If we recollect these one after another, the first and foremost
problem the state soon after its formation, encountered was, that of power
crisis. We sincerely believe that there is nothing that we cannot achieve if we
have perseverance. We achieved separate state which was thought to be an
impossibility. With integrity and determination, we moved towards overcoming
the power crisis. Within a very short period we were able to find complete
solution to the power crisis. From a stage of worst position, we pulled the
power sector to that of an excellence. Once to have power was news, but now, to
have a cut is news. This one example is sufficient to comprehend as to how
Telangana voyaged from where to where. I am happy to announce that in the
entire country, Telangana is the one and only state, that provides round the
clock 24-hour power supply to all sectors including agriculture. The
qualitative change in the power supply rejuvenated both agriculture and
industrial sectors.
Yet another permanent
solution that we could workout was that of drinking water. The success of
Mission Bhagiratha Scheme, aimed at comprehensive and permanent solution to
drinking water, is literally visualized by people. Despite scorching terrible
summer people are not at all worried for drinking water thanks to Mission
Bhagiratha. There is no need to travel miles together to fetch drinking water.
Demonstrations with empty water pots which was the order of the day once, is
seen no more. Mission Bhagiratha liberated people from those troubles. The
works of Mission Bhagiratha are almost completed. As the Telugu proverbial
saying reads that, the “Elephant passed through but its tail only left!”, it is
only a small bit of work is left out. In the rural areas 97% of the works are
completed and by July end cent percent works will be over. Even in urban areas
the works are being completed on war footing.
Our top priority has been to extend
a real helping hand to the needy, helpless and poorest of the poor strata who
lead their lives at an extreme corner of the society. Accordingly, a number of
welfare programs were conceived and implemented. The Aasara Pensions aimed at
providing security to life, are being given to every poverty-stricken
individual identifying them either as old or widow or single women or beedi
worker or handloom worker or old aged artist or filarial affected or aids
patient or to that matter every one below poverty line. This particular scheme,
the benefits of which reach the poorest of the poor directly, without any
interference of middlemen, is the one that gives me immense happiness and
satisfaction. The pension amount that was enhanced from Rs 200 to Rs 1000
immediately after formation of Telangana is now enhanced to Rs 2016. The
pension amount of differently abled persons is enhanced from Rs 1500 to Rs 3016.
The upper age limit for old-age pension is reduced from 65 years to 57 and
thereby, another 6-7 lakhs persons would be additionally covered under the
scheme. I am happy to announce that the enhanced pensions will be paid from July
1, 2019. The assurance of security of life to the poor gives immense
satisfaction to the Government.
Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak
schemes, the brain children of mine are dearer to me. Blessings of those
families who performed marriages of their girl child with the Rs 1, 00, 116
financial help provided by the Government, are like the strong bastions to our
Government.
In order to provide a residence, a
dwelling of self-respect to the weaker sections of the society, the two-bed
room house construction is in progress. The fine rice food being provided to
students of schools and hostels denotes the human angle of our governance.
Arogya Lakshmi Scheme aimed at providing nutritious food to pregnant women and
KCR Kits Scheme to encourage institutional deliveries are like fresh
definitions of women welfare.
In anticipation of radical and
improved changes in the rural life, towards strengthening of rural economy we
laid solid steps. Mission Kakatiya aimed at rejuvenation of damaged and debris
chain of tanks, not only yielded exceptional results but also received
international acclamations as a role model of development. We have been
implementing schemes which encourage agricultural related and allied
professions on a large scale that never-ever happened in the history.
The largescale distribution of sheep
substantially enhanced the livestock wealth of Golla and Kuruma communities. On
the other side, in all the tanks and ponds as well as in different water
sources, for pisciculture, the required fish seed is supplied free of cost by
the government. There is heavy demand in the market of the massive production
of freshwater fish. With this the Besta, Boya, Mudiraj and other fish growing
communities got largescale employment resulting in increase of their incomes.
Government of Telangana to a great
extent is successful in preventing suicides of handloom and power loom workers.
Batukamma Sarees weaving has been entrusted to handloom workers and thus they
are enabled to get continuous employment opportunity. Relief to a great extent
has been provided to handloom and power loom workers by way of a welfare
measure wherein, 50% subsidy on colours and chemicals was given by government.
However, much more is required to be done in this direction.
Telangana Society is a society that
respects plurality and multiplicity. Different religious and different
community people while safeguarding their existence have been living with
coexistence and symbiosis in a give and take manner. The tradition of
harmonious culture that is in existence in Telangana was described by mahatma
Gandhi as Ganga Jamuna Tehjeeb. Government of Telangana while
safeguarding the value of inheritance is adopting universal communal harmony.
Festivals like Batukamma, Bonalu, Ramzan and Christmas were identified as state
festivals and are performed officially. On the occasion of these festivals free
cloths are being distributed to poor families. Reform has been brought in
wherein Archakas of temples are paid their salaries on first of every month on
par with government employees. Amount for Doopa-Deepa Naivedyam to be performed
in temples was enhanced. For Imams and Mauzams in the Masjids, remuneration of
Rs 5000 is given per month.
In the present context every social
community expresses its existential aspirations. Symbolizing the outstanding
cultural background of different castes and communities and also as platforms
of social development, the government is constructing self-esteem buildings in
Hyderabad. For these, required sites have been identified and allotted. Shortly
the construction would commence.
Government of Telangana is highly
successful in stepping-up and in furtherance of standards in education and
health sectors. With an objective of providing education with international
standards to oppressed and vulnerable classes 608 new residential schools were
established in the state. The students coming out of these residential
institutions have been bringing name and fame to our state at international
levels.
The performance of government
hospitals is improved resulting in infusing confidence on public health system.
The bed strength in the hospitals from district level to constituency level was
increased. Required facilities and equipment for diagnostic tests and emergency
treatment were provided. Dialysis centres were established across the state after
the formation of the state.
The Kantivelugu program aimed at
prevention and control of blindness taken up by government of Telangana was a
boon to poor people. Nowhere in the country on such a large scale like the
Kantivelugu was taken up as was done in Telangana for prevention of eye sights
and for conducting eye screening besides provision of free Medicare and
medicines as well as distribution of spectacles. Shortly the government will
organize special programs for prevention of dental, ear, nose and throat
problems. Government is making efforts to conduct comprehensive diagnostic
tests and also to develop Telangana Health Profile.
While every other problem that the
Telangana experienced earlier was of one aspect, the problem on the front of
irrigated water was another aspect. Despite River Godavari flowing on one side
and River Krishna the other side, there was scarcity of water even to irrigate
a small piece of land. The tanks developed by one-time kings were filled with
slit. Wells that were dug by farmers dried up. Projects promised to construct
confined to papers only. To fetch ground water far from deep in the underground
bore wells were only the alternative. If they too got dried up, then suicides
were the order of the day. People at large realised that unless Telangana state
was formed there was no possibility of getting water and as result got harshly
agitated. Finally, they achieved Telangana. The responsibility of diverting
water to their barren lands was entrusted on our shoulders.
Towards fulfilling the dreams of farmers,
we have taken up the challenge and commenced construction of major irrigation
projects simultaneously on River Godavari and River Krishna to provide water
for irrigation to over a crore of acres. In the first phase, the pending
projects were completed on fast track and on war footing. We were able to
provide water for ten lakhs of acres in the drought prone Mahbubnagar district
alone. Half of Palamoor could be converted as green fields blossoming with
bountiful crops. Even in mid-summer, the scenario unveiled was that of a
totally filled-up tanks brimming with overflowing with water. For making
optimum utilization of River Krishna water, the construction of
Palamoor-Rangareddy lift irrigation scheme project has been in progress, with
which, Mahbubnagar, Wanaparti, Gadwal, Nagarkurnool, Narayan pet, Rangareddy,
Vikarabad districts as well as Munugod and Devarakonda areas of Nalgonda
district will become fertile.
Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project
which is under construction on River Godavari will change the face of
Telangana. Kaleshwaram is going to create history in the world, as the largest
lift irrigation project built in the fastest mode. Constructing such a large
project in such a short period of two and half years is a proof our
government’s efficiency and technological excellence. Very recently the wet run
conducted with heavy motors near a pumphouse forming part of Kaleshwaram
project was a grand success. From next month end, government is making preparations
to lift two TMCs of Godavari Water per day from Medigadda barrage. Preparations
are also afoot to lift three TMCs of water from there for which the
construction activity is in progress. The Kaleshwaram Project which would be
able to supply sufficient irrigated water to grow two crops a year in 45 lakhs
of acres in Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Peddapally, Karimnagar, Nirmal, Nizamabad,
Kamareddy, Jangaon, Mahaboobabad, Siricilla, Siddipet, Medak, Sangareddy,
Jagityal, Medchal, Yadadri Bhongir and Suryapet districts, will be a God-given
reward for Telangana. To demonstrate the engineering excellence of lifting
water from 90 meters above sea level to 618 meters, the irrigation department
is well prepared. I am happy to announce that, the day is not far off for the
well living of Telangana farmer, when the River Godavari water flowing through
tunnels reaches the fields.
The Sitarama Lift Irrigation project
works aimed at providing water in abundance to the entire Khammam and Bhadradri
Kothagudem districts and part of the Mahaboobabad district, are in progress on
war footing. The capacity od Devadula project is further increased and the
construction is in progress. This would fulfil the irrigation needs in toto of
Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Warangal Urban, Warangal Rural, Jangaon,
Mahaboobabad and Suryapet districts.
When once the irrigation projects
are completed, all around Telangana one can see only green fields. No one can
either hear the word drought or can see it. All through 365 days in a year, the
tanks, the reservoirs and the barrages resemble a pot full of water. With two
crops a year the state of Telangana will emerge as a rice bowl. The increased
agriculture production in the state will rejuvenate the Telangana economy.
Water all along the river, the reservoirs with full water and the increased
underground water levels will not only better the Telangana economy but also
that of ecology.
The government in addition to
solving the problem of irrigated water has also been implementing number of
schemes towards solving other problems that the farmer has been facing. Within
a short time after formation of state and after coming to power, we waived the
farmers’ loans to an extent of one lakh rupees. Now again we are going to waive
another one lakh rupees loan. Unlike in the past when the farmer faced problems
for fertilizers and seed, we have taken enough care and are able to supply now
in time. With 24-hour free power supply the farmer experienced a great relief
and give them new hope.
The investment support scheme for
agriculture, the Rythu Bandhu, meant for providing financial assistance to
farmer towards crop investment enthused the hearts of the farmer. We were able
to prevent the farmer suffering from debts for agriculture investment by giving
Rs 4000 per acre per crop totalling Rs 8000. This scheme attracted the
attention of whole world. In addition to several state governments even to the
union government the scheme became a role model. For the Kisan Samman Yojana
Scheme introduced by union government the inspiration came from our Rythu
Bandhu. The Unite Nations praised Rythu Bandhu Scheme as one of the great
schemes in the world. I am announcing the happy news to the farming community
that the amount given under Rythu Bandhu will be enhanced from Rs 8000 per acre
to Rs 10000 per acre from this year.
Having realized and thought that, if
a farmer dies for whatever might be the reason, his family shall not become a
destitute, the government introduced and implementing the Rythu Bhima Scheme.
The entire insured premium amount is borne by the government and on the event
of death of a farmer his family will get Rs 5 lakhs insured amount at once. By
removing the hopelessness feeling in the farmer and by creating fresh
enthusiasm in them, the government is able to achieve good results. The
government schemes prevented suicides and raised fresh hopes in the lives of
farmer as well as confidence in their future.
The agriculture cantered schemes
that I detailed till now will result in high yields besides alleviating the
problem of investment for agriculture. However, due to all these, in future
there would be bountiful of crops increasing the production. Government
initiated drafting a comprehensive policy formulation to ensure support price
to the crop. Crop colonies will be created to avoid the danger of not getting
support price due to raising similar crop by all the farmer resulting in lesser
demand. Reforms will be taken up to see that different crops are grown in
different lands depending upon the soil strength and conditions as well as the
climatic conditions followed by moving the crops to market in a regulated
manner. The government has decided to establish food processing units across
the state and thereby see that the farmer gets support price for his produce.
We are making the role of Rythu Samanvaya Samithis more active right from
ploughing to seeding to marketing the crop for support price.
I myself am a farmer. I am aware of
the melody of living with a belief on soil. I am also aware the agony when the
hard labour is lost for no reason. That is why I have only one dream. The face
and fate of the farmer should be changed. Agriculture should become profitable.
Farmer shall be relieved of debt trap and every farmer shall have some money as
reserve always. I firmly wish that a day should come when, if anybody questions
as to where the richest farmer is, the answer should be in Telangana. I relentlessly
work for realising my dream. I will work hard with dedication for this. All my
energies that the God gave to me, I shall devote to for this pious cause.
Telangana ku Haritaharam
introduced and implemented by Telangana Government for environmental and
ecological protection is a significant program. We are witnessing how the
temperatures are rising due to deforestation and reduction in the greenery.
This is not a natural disaster but a human blunder. If the same situation is
allowed to continue, then, the very existence and survival of human beings on
earth will be in risk. When once the life becomes miserable, however much
wealth, facilities and technological development progresses, there would be no
purpose. Future generations will not pardon us for our negligence and
indifference. Instead of going to hilly areas for enjoying cold weather to
escape heat why not we develop greenery for the same? In the Haritaharam
Program aimed at increasing the green cover to 33% every one shall participate
compulsorily. I am giving a call for plantation of saplings on a large scale.
By working with dedication and determination we should launch Haritha
Telangana. An ever green, pleasant and temperate Telangana shall come into
being.
If the goals enunciated by government
have to reflect at field-grassroot level, the administrative machinery should
become really functional. However, due to chaotic policies in Telangana for
decades together, the local bodies became lethargic. They forgot their
responsibilities and totally lost direction. Panchayati Raj institutions which
were once functioned with movement spirit has now become a residue. Unless and
until we revive and rejuvenate the local bodies our dreams will not become a
reality. That is the reason why the government after redefining the functioning
of local bodies enacted the new Panchayati Raj Act. Under the light of this Act,
while entrusting precise responsibilities and duties to the Panchayati Raj
institutions, the required funds are being provided by the government from time
to time. The central finance commission allocated Rs 1229 crores to the rural
local bodies in Telangana. The state as a matching grant will provide another
Rs 1229 crores to these institutions. I am happy to mention that even a small
village panchayat with just 500 population will get Rs 8 lakhs as development
funds every year. In addition to these, the funds under the National Rural
Employment guarantee scheme will also be available to the local bodies. In
future, with all this, there will be no dearth of funds for village panchayats.
In the framework of new Panchayati
Raj Act there shall not be any scope for corruption. It’s obligatory on the
part of peoples’ representatives and officers of Panchayati Raj institutions to
take care of village sanitation and developing greenery. The Act will not
tolerate those who fail to discharge their duties and responsibilities. They
will be subjected to severe punishment besides removal from their posts. It is
the intention of government, that, by stringently implementing the Act, the
villages are to be converted as shining signs of hygiene, cleanliness and
greenery. Every village panchayat on its own and by itself and also the people
of the village shall get ready to achieve this goal.
Against the context and background
of rapid urbanization, the government is contemplating enacting the new
municipal Act with an objective of ushering constancy in governance and ensuring
accountability. The Act stipulates in it stringent regulations to ensure that
cities and towns are not expanded haphazardly and irrationally. The regulations
among others will include severe measures that do not give any scope for
loopholes and corruption what so ever it may be.
With the changing times and
situations, the institutions and acts should also be changed, failing which the
society lags far behind in battling the change. It is unfortunate and saddening
that our institutions still continue reflecting the age-old concepts and notions.
Despite transformation in the job nature, the institutions continue with the
same nomenclature giving scope for dearth of ideas. For instance, the revenue
department came into existence at a time when there was a need for land revenue
collection. Now there is no such thing as land revenue. Even though the earlier
job of land revenue collection is no more, still the department runs with the
name of revenue. Similarly, despite the responsibility of collecting land
revenue has been done away, the designation of Collector still continues. Like
this there are many more such illogical issues in the revenue act. The act
formulated during the feudal times there are many loopholes which give scope
for corruption. During the cleansing and rectification of land records, all
these loopholes, became hurdles to government in its efforts. Against this
backdrop, the government has decided to have a relook in to the revenue act and
review it thoroughly. The government is engaged and involved in formulating the
new revenue act to ensure that the problems and difficulties of farmers are
removed as far as the sales and purchases, mutation process, registrations and
provision of hereditary rights are concerned. The government hopes and seeks an
extensive participation of people in implementation of this act and invites
them for the same. Any reform that is done with common effort of government and
people will become a reality and be successful.
I request for largescale people’s
participation for successful implementation of the new Panchayati Raj, new
Municipal and new Revenue Acts that I have briefed to you till now. People for
their day to day requirements do have connection with these three departments.
If all of us together can drive away corruption from these three departments
with firm determination then we will be able to infuse confidence and respect
among people on administrative systems and institutions.
People of Telangana right from the
beginning have been highly conscious to reach and achieve the societal goals.
They have the experience of achieving successful results by fighting with
unity. The unique and great separate statehood movement that the people of Telangana
launched created a new chapter in the history of this country. The history of
our movement has become a topic of study as a societal movement in the
curriculums. With such an illustrious background of achieving our goals, for
us, it is not at all a difficult task, to achieve the required changes for good
governance. What is required is the power of determination and emphasis on
coordination. Towards this goal let us all march forward together hand in hand
and with renewed resolve. Let us establish highest standards in putting an end
to corruption and in transparent administration.
Jai Hind, Jai
Telangana
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