TWO BED ROOM HOUSES FOR POOR KCR PET PROGRAM : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

TWO BED ROOM HOUSES FOR POOR

KCR PET PROGRAM

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao made a landmark shift in welfare measures by living up to his pre-poll promise of providing two bed room homes, complete with a common living area, a kitchen and two toilets, for the poor. These 560 square feet homes are being built at a cost of Rs 5.04 lakhs each under his ambitious housing for the poor program.

      As part of two bed-room housing programme the Government envisaged construction of 60, 000 housed in the first phase this year at the rate of 400 per each constituency which accounts for 36, 000 in rural areas and 24, 000 in urban areas which includes 12, 400 houses under state reserve with Chief Minister. Thus the constituency quota will be 47, 600.  Unit cost of each house would be Rs. 5.04 Lakhs excluding Rs. 1.25 Lakhs towards cost of infrastructure in rural areas and Rs. 5.30 Lakhs in urban areas excluding 0.75 lakhs towards infrastructure.

There are clear-cut guidelines issued by Government for Selection of beneficiaries. Criteria for selection is that the beneficiary should be an eligible BPL family having a valid Food Security Card with a number on her / her spouse name / his name  ( in case of widow / widower / Physically challenged). House will be sanctioned in the name of house wife. The family shall consist of wife, husband their unmarried children and dependents. Widows shall be given preference in selection. Houseless Families and families living presently in Huts, Katcha houses or in Rental Houses are also preferred. No one in the family should have been sanctioned a house under any housing Scheme taken up after 1994-95 in the State. Only one 2 BHK House per family shall be considered.

While selecting sites, the District Collectors have to identify most suitable Government land available if any, abutting to the village/Municipality to take up housing under land acquisition act. In Rural areas, independent houses shall be taken up with an individual plot area of 125 Square yards.  Wherever there is scarcity of land, the District Collectors may consider for G+ 1 house in major Gram Panchayats. In Urban areas, houses shall be taken up in G + pattern.

Each house will have 2 Bed Rooms, hall, kitchen and two toilets (bath-cum-WC) with a plinth area of 560 square feet (in Rural it includes area of staircase and in Urban it includes stair case & common area). Two lofts for storage of house-hold goods shall be provided, one in master Bed Room and other in the hall/near toilet. Required Civic infrastructure for each colony like Water supply, Electricity, Approach and internal Roads and Drains, Sewerage shall be provided.

With this scheme in mind, IDH colony where the two bed room houses as conceived by CM have been built and was inaugurated by CM stands as a role model for the entire state. To be more frank IDH colony even stands as a role model for other states also. Houses constructed in different states under various state and central government schemes are like match boxes with no proper ventilation and no sanitation. But, the Telangana government made a unique attempt to provide comfortable houses for them, not bothering about the expenditure. These houses built with a good living space and aesthetic values are provided to the people of BPL category free of cost. 

House sanctioned and built under Indira Avas Yojana had one hall and a kitchen with a toilet. There was no space for more family members and relatives who visit during special events and festivals. There were water and sewerage problems in those houses. Replacing the old house, the Telangana government constructed beautiful one with all amenities like a gated-community. People who would be living here live with self-respect.

KCR Inaugurated 377 Double Bedroom Flats at IDH Colony in Secunderabad on November 16, 2015. Though the government has announced that 400 houses will be built in each of the 119 Assembly constituencies in the state, 377 houses were completed in IDH Colony in the first phase of the project itself. KCR handed over registration documents to the beneficiaries. He expressed satisfaction over the quality of construction and said that the IDH Colony houses would serve as a model for the entire country. He also said that this is only a beginning and the state government would do all that is needed for the welfare and development of the poor.

The foundation stone for the 2 BHK flats was laid on 2014 Dasara. The beneficiaries of these flats include 276 SCs, 31 STs, 79 BCs and 10 minorities. The total cost of the project is around Rs 37 Crores. The average cost of construction per unit is around Rs 7.90 lakhs for housing and Rs 1.33 lakhs for infrastructure.  

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister claimed that it was a history in India that the poor people had got permanent accommodation. CM said that state government will not construct single box like rooms for the poor but will build only spacious 2 BHK rooms. He said that “The double bedroom housing scheme of Telangana government was first of its kind in the entire country. I am happy to see you entering your own two-bedroom houses built. It was our promise and we have fulfilled it,” he said. He announced that similar houses would be constructed in every Assembly segment for the poor. Each constituency would have a minimum of 400 houses. In all, 60,000 houses would be constructed all over the State in the first phase,” KCR declared.

Several states are emulating the double bedroom concept of Telangana. Some of them have already enquired about the scheme and a 25-member delegation from Goa studied the double bedroom housing scheme at IDH Colony. The fact that Governor requested to the State government that he be allotted a flat in the colony, stands testimony to the quality of the construction.

Criteria for selection of beneficiaries for the first phase of 60, 000 houses all over the state as well as for future phases is also a model for other states. A district level committee consisting of MLAs of the district under the Chairmanship of the Minister of the district and the district Collector as convener will see the overall implementation of the program. This committee finalizes the Gram Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies (wards) and number of houses there for each constituency. Normally the number of houses allotted shall be 400 for each constituency unless additional houses are allotted under state quota. Committee decides the minimum caste composition for SC, ST and Minorities. Overall caste composition in allotment of houses shall be maintained for the district as a whole.

District Collector concerned prepares schedule of Gram Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies for calling applications and for conducting Gram Sabhas or Ward Sabhas as the case may be, for making preliminary scrutiny of applications as per the eligibility criteria. Preliminary scrutinized list is forwarded to the Tahasildar of the concerned mandal for secondary verification who subsequently submits to the Collector back again. This list is placed in the Gram Sabha or Ward Sabha as the case may be, for drawl of lots to select the final beneficiaries for this phase. Caste composition is adhered. This final list is placed before the district level committee for approval following which Collector issues sanction orders. There is no political interference anywhere in the process. (27-11-2015)

శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకం

శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకం

ధర్మపురి క్షేత్ర నరసింహ స్వామికి మహా భక్తుడైన శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకంలోని పద్యాలను యధాతధంగా నా బ్లాగ్ పాఠకులకు అందించే ప్రయత్నం ఇది. పదిరోజులకొకసారి పది పద్యాల చొప్పున వంద రోజులు వంద రోజులయ్యేసరికి వీటన్నింటినె నా బ్లాగ్ లో చదవ వచ్చు.

శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకం-1

సీII       శ్రీ మనోహర ! సురార్చిత  ! సింధుగంభీర !

భక్తవత్సల ! కోటి భానుతేజ !

కుంజనేత్ర ! హిరణ్యకశిపు నాశక ! శూర !

సాధురక్షణ ! శంఖచక్ర హస్త !

ప్రహ్లాదవరద ! పాపధ్వంస ! సర్వేశ !

క్షీరసాగరశాయి ! కృష్ణ వర్ణ !

పక్షివాహన ! లసద్భ్రమరకుంతలజాల

పల్లవారుణ పాదపద్మ యుగళ !

తేII      చారు శ్రీ చందనాగరు చర్చితాంగ !

కుందకుట్మలదంత ! వైకుంఠధామ !

భూషణవికాస ! శ్రీ ధర్మపురనివాస !

దుష్టసంహార ! నరసింహ ! దురితదూర !

శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకం-2

క II     పద్మలోచన ! సీసపద్యముల్ నీ మీద

జెప్పబూనితినయ్య ! చిత్తగింపు

గణ యతి ప్రాస లక్షణముల జూడగ లేదు;

పంచకావ్య శ్లోక పఠన లేదు,

అమరకాండత్రయం బరసి చూడగ లేదు,

శాస్త్రీయ గ్రంథముల్ చదువలేదు,

నీ కటాక్షంబున నే రచించెద గాని

ప్రజ్ఞ నాయది కాదు ప్రస్తుతింప.

తే II      దప్పు గలిగిన సద్భక్తి తక్కువౌనె ?

చెరకునకు వంకపోయిన జెడునె తీపి !

భూషణవికాస ! శ్రీ ధర్మపురనివాస !

దుష్టసంహార ! నరసింహ ! దురితదూర !

శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకం-3

సీII       నరసింహ ! నీ దివ్యనామ మంత్రముచేత

దురితజాలము లెల్ల దోలవచ్చు,

నరసింహ ! నీ దివ్యనామ మంత్రముచేత

బలువైన రోగముల్ బాపవచ్చు !

నరసింహ ! నీ దివ్యనామ మంత్రముచేత

రిపు సంఘముల సంహరింపవచ్చు,

నరసింహ ! నీ దివ్యనామ మంత్రముచేత

దండహస్తుని బంట్ల దరుమవచ్చు,

తేII       భళిర ! నే నీ మహామంత్ర బలముచేత

దివ్య వైకుంఠ పదవి సాధింపవచ్చు !

భూషణవికాస ! శ్రీ ధర్మపురనివాస !

దుష్టసంహార ! నరసింహ ! దురితదూర !

శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకం-4

సీII      ఆదినారాయణా యనుచు నాలుకతోడ

బలుక నేర్చినవారి పాదములకు

సాష్టాంగముగ నమస్కార మర్పణజేసి

ప్రస్తుతించెదనయ్య బహువిధముల

ధరణిలో నరులెంత దండివారైనను

నిన్ను గాననివారి నే స్మరింప,

మేము శ్రేష్టుల మంచు మిడుకుచుండెడివారి

చెంత జేరగ బోను శేషశయన !

తేII       పరమ సాత్త్వికులైన నీ భక్తవరుల

దాసులకు దాసుడను జుమీ ధాత్రిలోన,

భూషణవికాస ! శ్రీ ధర్మపురనివాస !

దుష్టసంహార ! నరసింహ ! దురితదూర !

శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకం-5

సీII       ఐశ్వర్యములకు నిన్ననుసరింపగలేదు,

ద్రవ్య మిమ్మని వెంట దగులలేదు,

కనకమిమ్మని చాల గష్టపెట్టగ లేదు !

పల్ల కిమ్మని నోట బలుక లేదు,

సొమ్ము లిమ్మని నిన్ను నమ్మి కొల్వగ లేదు,

భూము లిమ్మని పేరు పొగడ లేదు,

బలము లిమ్మని నిన్ను బ్రతిమాలగా లేదు,

పసుల నిమ్మని పట్టుబట్టలేదు

తేII       నేను గోరిన దొక్కటే నీలవర్ణ !

చయ్యనను మోక్షమిచ్చిన జాలు నాకు,

భూషణవికాస ! శ్రీ ధర్మపురనివాస !

దుష్టసంహార ! నరసింహ ! దురితదూర !

శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకం-6

సీII      మందుండనని నన్ను నిందజేసిన నేమి ?

నా దీనతను జూచి నవ్వనేమి ?

దూరభావము లేక తూలనాడిన నేమి ?

ప్రీతిసేయక వంక బెట్టనేమి ?

కక్కసంబులు పల్కి వెక్కిరించిన నేమి ?

తీవ్రకోపముచేత దిట్టనేమి ?

హెచ్చుమాటలచేత నెమ్మెలాడిన నేమి ?

చేరి దాపట గేలి సేయనేమి ?

తేII       కల్పవృక్షంబువలె నీవు కల్గ నింక

బ్రజల లక్ష్యంబు నాకేల ! పద్మనాభ !

భూషణవికాస ! శ్రీ ధర్మపురనివాస !

దుష్టసంహార ! నరసింహ ! దురితదూర !

శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకం-7

సీII       చిత్తశుద్ధిగ నీకు సేవ జేసెద గాని,

పుడమిలో జనుల మెప్పులకు గాదు,

జన్మ పావనతకై స్మరణ జేసెద గాని,

సరివారిలో ప్రతిష్ఠలకు గాదు,

ముక్తికోసము నేను మ్రొక్కి వేడెద గాని,

దండిభాగ్యము నిమిత్తంబు గాదు,

నిన్ను బొగడ విద్య నేర్చితినే కాని,

కుక్షి నిండెడు కూటి కొరకు గాదు,

తేII       పారమార్థికమునకు నే బాటుపడితి,

గీర్తికి నపేక్ష పడలేదు కృష్ణవర్ణ !

భూషణవికాస ! శ్రీ ధర్మపురనివాస !

దుష్టసంహార ! నరసింహ ! దురితదూర !

శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకం-8

సీII       శ్రవణ రంధ్రముల నీ సత్కథల్ పొగడంగ

లేశమానందంబు లేనివాడు

పుణ్యవంతులు నిన్ను బూజసేయగ జూచి

భావమందుత్సాహ పడనివాడు

భక్తవర్యులు నీ ప్రభావముల్ పొగడంగ

దత్పరత్వములేక తలగువాడు

తన చిత్తమందు నీ ధ్యాన మెన్నడు లేక

కాలమంతయు వృథా గడుపువాడు

తేII       వసుధలోనెల్ల వ్యర్ధుండు వాడె యగును

మరియు జెడుగాక యెప్పుడు మమతనొంది,

భూషణవికాస ! శ్రీ ధర్మపురనివాస !

దుష్టసంహార ! నరసింహ ! దురితదూర !

శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకం-9

సీII       గౌతమీ స్నానాన గడతేరుదమటన్న

మొనసి చన్నీళ్లలో మునుగలేను;

దీర్థయాత్రలచే గృతార్థుడౌదమటన్న

బడలి నీమంబులే నడపలేను;

దానధర్మముల సద్గతిని జెందుదమన్న

ఘనముగా నాయొద్ద ధనములేదు;

తపమాచరించి సార్థకము నొందుదమన్న

నిమిషమైన మనస్సు నిలుపలేను;

తేII       కష్టములకోర్వ నాచేతగాదు; నిన్ను

స్మరణజేసెద నా యథాశక్తికొలది;

భూషణవికాస ! శ్రీ ధర్మపురనివాస !

దుష్టసంహార ! నరసింహ ! దురితదూర !

శేషప్ప కవి రచించిన నరసింహ శతకం-10

సీII       అర్థివాండ్రకు నీక హాని జేయుటకంటె

దెంపుతో వసనాభి దినుటమేలు;

ఆడుబిడ్డలసొమ్ము లపహరించుటకంటె

బండ గట్టుక సూత బడుట మేలు;

పరులకాంతల బట్టి బల్మి గూడుట కంటె;

బడబాగ్ని కీలల బడుటమేలు;

బ్రతుకజాలక దొంగపనులు సేయుటకంటె

గొంగుతో ముష్టెత్తు కొనుటమేలు;

తేII       జలజదళనేత్ర ! నీ భక్త జనులతోడి

జగడమాడెడు పనికంటె జావుమేలు;

భూషణవికాస ! శ్రీ ధర్మపురనివాస !

దుష్టసంహార ! నరసింహ ! దురితదూర !

UNPRECEDENTED VICTORY OF TRS IN WARANGAL IS RATIFICATION OF KCR YEAR AND HALF GOOD GOVERNANCE : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

UNPRECEDENTED VICTORY OF TRS IN WARANGAL

IS RATIFICATION OF KCR YEAR AND HALF GOOD GOVERNANCE

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

            Speaking to media after the results of Warangal Lok Sabha by-election results in which TRS candidate Pasunuri Dayakar registered a record breaking victory with a margin of about 4.60 Lakhs of votes, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao said that, “The outcome of Warangal by poll is unprecedented. The intolerant attitude of the opposition is not good. This thumping victory will not make us arrogant. We will work for the welfare of the people with more dedication”. In the contest to win Warangal Lok Sabha seat, the heartland of Telangana, despite all out efforts by opposition, it was a resounding victory for Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, once again reaffirming the confidence of the people. TRS party candidate trounced his opponents from the Congress and TDP-BJP combine and in the process the result became the seventh biggest victory margin in the history of elections in India and highest in Telangana so far.

            Break up of votes are: Pasunuri Dayakar (TRS) 6,15,403; Sarve Satyanarayana (Cong) 1,56,311; P Devaiah (BJP-TDP) 1,30,178 and rest got about 70, 000 votes. In the 2014 election, Kadiyam Srihari then the TRS candidate won the seat with a margin of over 3.92 Lakh votes and now Dayakar bettered the margin and made the TRS proud. The victory came at a time when the opposition parties were cornering the state government over farmers’ suicides but all controversies turned non-issues as the by-election proved that the popularity of TRS is intact. Though all political parties were sure about the victory of TRS, no one barring TRS in general and CM KCR in particular expected such a landslide victory. All opposition parties were in for a rude shock with such a huge victory margin. All the other candidates also lost the deposit.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao who is also TRS Party President assigned the responsibility of campaign to one minister for every assembly segment who commands hold there by virtue of their long association in the area one way or other. This really helped for a big success apart from TRS highlighting the past and present failures of the opposition parties. These lead campaigners focused on issues that directly impact the people. Be it uninterrupted power supply, double bedroom houses, welfare measures, flagship programs like Water Grid, Mission Kakatiya or others, they could manage to take right message to the voter. All these topics of discussions were chalked out by KCR himself and detailed to the campaigners. After the victory, KCR minced no words on his future course of action. He declared that he would go ahead with his pet projects, whatever opposition he faces. He said that “the opposition protested my decision to shift the Secretariat, to clean the Hussainsagar Lake, to construct Kalabharathi, the design of Water Grid, Mission Kakatiya and to redesign the irrigation projects. But, I got the people’s support for them through this victory,” he said hinting that he would not budge.

The New Indian Express an English Daily published from Hyderabad under the heading “Chanakya Chandrashekhar” on the following day of TRS victory in the election wrote that, if emperor Chandragupta Mourya had a master strategist in the form of Chanakya to guide him through difficult times, the ruling TRS has a Chanakya and Chandragupta in a single man and he is none other than Kalvakuntla Chandrashekhar Rao. The master strategist in KCR turned the tide in his party’s favor, trouncing the opposition in the war for Warangal says the news item. All the efforts of the opposition to give a tough fight failed before KCR’s strategies. The Congress roped in national leaders including former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, former union ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde and Sachin Pilot but failed to make an impact. The BJP too brought a couple of Union ministers including Bandaru Dattatreya to campaign but it could not save the party from slipping to the third place.

CM termed the victory of TRS in Warangal as a stamp of approval from the people of Telangana for his governance. Encouraged by the overwhelming victory, TRS leaders thundered that the same result will be repeated in the forthcoming Narayankhed assembly seat by election and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections. Chief Minister declared in the media meet that the TRS will win over 80 seats in GHMC elections.

Speaking to media in Telangana Bhavan, the TRS party headquarters in Hyderabad CM announced his Road Map for state’s development and at the same time he has advised opposition parties to change their “intolerant” attitude at least after the “unprecedented” victory of the TRS in the Warangal Lok Sabha by election.

 CM said that “Now, the responsibility of the government has increased manifold. We will not develop arrogant attitude but work for the welfare of the people with more responsibility.” Recalling the burning of his effigies by opposition party workers just within five days of his assuming charge as Chief Minister, he advised the opposition parties: “People supported the development and welfare programmes of the government. The intolerant attitude of the opposition is not good.” Continuing his remarks CM said that the opposition spread canards on farm loan waiver and other issues. “The hasty and intolerant attitude of the opposition should change. People rejected the opposition parties which lied to the people against the government,” he said and announced a road map for development and new schemes. Here is what he said:

·        “Now, I have three major works to complete. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections and Narayankhed Assembly by poll and presenting the annual Budget. After that I will embark upon the district tours. The TRS will win 80 seats in the GHMC on its own.”

·        “I am busy preparing plans for the last 17 months and could not meet ordinary workers. The planning is over. Now, I will tour districts and stay there for six to eight days. I will organize Bus Yatras to district, interact frequently with workers. Ministers too will undertake Bus Yatras. I will stay near the ongoing irrigation projects and see that they are completed on time.”

·        “The reengineering and redesigning of irrigation projects has been completed. Construction of all the irrigation projects will be completed by 2020-2021. Even the distribution network will be completed in the next four years. One Crore acres of land will be provided irrigation water.”

·        “The District Selection Committee (DSC) examination to recruit around 15,000 to 20,000 teachers for government schools will be conducted very soon. Around 1,500 DSC-98 qualified teachers will also be provided jobs. The contract employees will be regularized in the next couple of months’ time.”

·        “This year the government will construct 60,000 two-bedroom houses. From next year the number will be one Lakh. I spoke with Union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu and will see to it that a huge number of houses are sanctioned also for Telangana as sanctioned for AP. Under the central government’s scheme, all government and private employees whose annual income is less than Rs 6 Lakh will be provided a double bedroom house. The Centre will give a subsidy of Rs 2 Lakh on each house. For construction of the double bedroom houses, ministers and MLAs will select villages. The beneficiaries in the villages will be selected by the respective district collectors and there will be no involvement of politicians.”

·        “We will complete the Water Grid programme before the next elections (2019). I reiterate that if the government fails to complete the scheme, the TRS will not seek votes. Taps will be fixed inside the houses at government’s cost.”

·        “The Kalyana Laxmi scheme, to give Rs 51,000 for performing the marriage of girls, will be extended to all the eligible poor in BCs and OCs from March.”

·        “In order to enable the ministers to sanction money for immediate works, a Special Development Fund (SDF) of Rs 25 Crores each to all ministers will be provided in the annual budget from next year.”

·        “Telangana will become power surplus by 2018. Farmers will be provided nine hours of uninterrupted power for agricultural operations from the next Kharif season.”

Referring to the Ayuta Maha Chandi Yaagam which he planned to perform from December 23, 2015 for four days, CM refuted opposition unhealthy criticism that he would be using government money. CM said that “The Yagam will be performed with my money and with the help of donors. Government money will not be used for it. I had vowed to conduct the Yagam if Telangana state was formed. The Yagam will cost Rs. 2 to Rs. 3 Crores. Cost is not the criterion. Around 4,000 Vedic pundits and 1,500 Ritwiks will be needed for the ritual. They are being brought from three or four other states.” CM also hinted at inviting AP CM Chandrababu Naidu and President of India besides some Governors.

It may be recalled that when by-elections were held for Medak Lok Sabha seat in September 2014 TRS candidate Kotha Prabhakar Reddy trounced his nearest Congress rival by a margin of 3,61,277 votes. Thus the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) continued its sway over the Medak parliamentary constituency. Then also the BJP-TDP combine candidate came a poor third. Then the by-poll was necessitated following resignation of CM as he had won the Assembly election from Gajwel assembly segment as well as Medak LS seat. Then the developmental and welfare schemes were in formative and conceptual stage and people believed that they would take shape and would be implemented. Congress and the BJP-TDP candidates made a vain bid to target the TRS Government's 100 days in office and exposing its failure to fulfill one single poll promise. However, the voters continued their loyalty towards the TRS, which was still seen as the party that had achieved Telangana for them and would achieve Bangaru Telangana in future.

Later in the MLC elections held in June 2015 TRS won five seats while Congress secured one seat to fill six vacancies in state Legislative Council. TRS nominees Kadiyam Srihari, Tummala Nageswar Rao, B Venkateswarlu, N Vidyasagar and K Yadav Reddy emerged victorious in the election, besides Akula Lalitha of Congress. However, Vem Narender Reddy of TDP-BJP combine lost the election. In addition TRS candidate Palla Rajeswara Reddy won the Graduates’ constituency seat from Warangal-Khammam constituency.

Peoples’ faith in CM KCR and his party is time and again proved.

25-11-2015

 (Source KCR Press Meet and The New Indian Express Coverage)

TS GOVERNMENT HAS ABSOLUTE RIGHTS ON DEFENSE LAND : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

TS GOVERNMENT HAS ABSOLUTE 

RIGHTS ON DEFENSE LAND

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

The Hans India (21-11-2015)

In a letter addressed to Union Minister for Defense Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, referring to the closure of Gough road, said that, severe hardship is being faced by a large number of civilian population residing in many colonies and areas in the Secunderabad Cantonment Area either due to closure or usage of roads or imposition of restrictions by AOC authorities. CM specifically requested him to postpone the proposed closure of Gough road till alternative arrangements are made. 

Against this backdrop interesting information recorded on 10^th October 1926, by Sir William Barton, a former Resident in Hyderabad, about Secunderabad cantonment land, which is available in India Office Library, London is worth mentioning. It is evident from the report that, Government of India did not acquire any land from state Government or erstwhile Hyderabad Nizam Government for establishing Secunderabad Cantonment. The inference could be that the defense establishment at Secunderabad is in occupation of state and private lands without a valid ownership right. Barton report emphasizes that there was no transfer of ownership of any part of the land to British Government by the Nizam.

There is no land in Secunderabad which absolutely belongs to the Government of India.  The Military authorities are entitled to exercise control only over so much of the land within the outer boundary line as has been actually assigned for Military purposes. Land actually in military occupation like barracks and parade grounds were handed over only for Military purposes and it reverts to the Nizam’s Government when no longer required by the military authorities. The title to the land would, on relinquishment, revert to the Nizam’s Government.

Secunderabad city was formed in 1806 and Nizam allotted the land north of Hussein Sagar to set up the British Cantonment. It was founded as a British cantonment after the Nizam Asaf Jah II was defeated at the hands of the British East India Company and was forced to sign the Treaty of Subsidiary Alliance in the year 1798. Subsequently, various new markets such as Regimental Bazaar and General Bazaar were created. Residency House, now known as the Rashtrapati Nilayam, the official retreat of the President of India was constructed in 1860. Being one of the largest cantonments in India, Secunderabad has a large presence of army and air force personnel. Area around Secunderabad changed hands between various rulers and by the 18th century, the area was part of Nizam's Hyderabad.

Noted author and a former bureaucrat Narendra Luther in his book “Lashkar” (meaning army camp) commented that British cantonments across India evolved as enduring symbols of the imperial power. The very location of these cantonments, some of which were virtually mini-fortresses, was often cited as a reflection of social separation of the British from the natives. Secunderabad Cantonment has been no different according to him. Even after independence the same style is continued. In course of time, the camp expanded to emerge as the first cantonment to provide a settled home for the British army in the South. The houses built for officers, Luther recounts, were typified by the one called “The Retreat”, in which Winston Churchill stayed as second lieutenant in 1896. The house is still in intact and accommodates a colonel.

Secunderabad Municipality first formed in 1945 was merged with Hyderabad to form a single Municipal Corporation in the year 1960. Today Secunderabad is part of the Hyderabad district. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) established in 2007 is responsible for the administration and infrastructure of Secunderabad. Post-Independence, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board came under the jurisdiction of the Indian Armed forces. Today large parts of Secunderabad and some parts of Hyderabad, where defense installations are located come under the purview of Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB). The infrastructure management and civic administration in the cantonment are handled by the SCB, which comes under the purview of the union Defense Ministry.

Consequent to the treaty of 1768 the British Government undertook to provide Nizam with two battalions and Sepoys. Later a Resident was appointed at Hyderabad and year after year the battalions were increased which reached to eight and by 1806 British Government resolved to station the troops at Hyderabad. During the year 1903 the Bolaram cantonment was abolished and merged with the Cantonment of Secunderabad and the land held by it was occupied by the Military authorities free of cost. There was no assignment of land by the Nizam to the Military authorities. The large area of land had been given to British Army at different times for the use of the Military authorities, starting from 1806. However there was no transfer of ownership of the lands to the Government of India (British Government) by the Nizam Government. The 13 Mughlai villages namely, Chinna Thokatta, Pedda Thokatta, Sitharampur, Bowinpally, Balamrai, Kakaguda, Sikh Village, Alwal, Marredpally, Rasoolpura, Busareddyguda, Bolarum, Trimulgherri, and Lalapet were also not the military property. There was at no time any definite assignment of the land and land was taken up as required by the Military authorities.

The lands were temporarily requisitioned by the British Army from the Nizam Government to meet the exigencies of Second World War and for six months thereafter. A resolution of Secunderabad Cantonment Board meeting held on 21^st June 1968, to which all the Defense Authorities and Officers of the Secunderabad Sub-Area were Signatories, ascertain that the Defense Authorities never owned any land in Secunderabad Cantonment and that whatever land that was requisitioned temporarily for military purposes was restored to Nizam’s Government on First December 1945, as it was no longer required for military purposes. The resolution further noted that, the Cantonment of Secunderabad, in erstwhile domain of Nizam cannot be equated with the rest of the Cantonments as the laws applicable in the Secunderabad Cantonment were the laws prevailing in the Jagirs and Government of Nizam and not the British Indian laws. Starting from 1806, land was taken by the military authorities from the Nizam’s Government, as and when needed by them for cantoning of the troops with a condition that they need to be restored to the Nizam’s Government when no longer required for military purposes. The case of Secunderabad Town, which formerly formed part of this cantonment, was restored to the Nizam’s Government.

In Ameer-un-nissa Begum V. Mahboob Begum, the Supreme Court while referring to the nature of sovereign function exercised by the Nizam of Hyderabad observed that "prior to integration of Hyderabad State with the Indian Union and the coming into force of the Indian Constitution, the Nizam of Hyderabad enjoyed uncontrolled sovereign powers. He was the supreme legislature, the supreme judiciary and the supreme head of the executive, and there were no constitutional limitations upon his authority to act in any of these capacities. The Firmans were expressions of the sovereign will of the Nizam and they were binding in the same way as any other law; nay, they would override all other laws which were in conflict with them. So long as a particular Firman held the field, that alone would govern or regulate the rights of the parties concerned, though it could be annulled or modified by a later Firman at any time that the Nizam willed.

After the integration of Hyderabad in the Indian Union, the land said to have been given for military purposes by Nizam and later restored to the Nizam Government as it was no longer required for military purposes, automatically becomes the state government land with absolute powers. Any part of the land in the cantonment area either in Secunderabad or in Hyderabad shall belong to Telangana State Government and it has an absolute right to make use of it as it deems fit. The military authorities or to that matter the Government of India’s Defense Ministry should not have any objection for this. End

T-HUB INDIA’S LARGEST INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

T-HUB INDIA’S LARGEST INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

The Government of Telangana launched T-Hub, India’s largest innovation ecosystem. T-Hub is a unique model of Public Private Partnership between the Government of Telangana, three of India’s premier academic institutes (IIIT-H, ISB & NALSAR) and key private sector leaders, and stands at the intersection of the start-up, academic, corporate, research and government sectors. The Telangana Government’s mission through T-Hub is to catalyse the creation of one of the tightest and most vibrant entrepreneur communities in the world in order to encourage and fuel more start-up success stories in India. T-Hub’s goal is to turn Hyderabad into the best start-up ecosystem in India, catering not only to local entrepreneurs but also acting as a gateway for anyone who wants to start a tech company in the country. This shall be done in the following way:

·   Attract the best start-ups and entrepreneur organizations from across the world to Hyderabad

·        Link, educate and promote all entrepreneurship-related stakeholders in Hyderabad and Telangana, including start-ups, investors, incubators and accelerators, research centres start-up resources etc. in order to facilitate faster connections between talent, ideas and capital

·        Work with an extensive network of partners to help entrepreneurs launch and scale

· innovative companies that equip innovators and organizations alike with the entrepreneurship skills required to succeed, using methodologies that transcend traditional learning

The Government of Telangana is anchoring the entire Telangana start-up ecosystem with India’s largest building dedicated entirely to entrepreneurs, a state-of-the-art 70,000 square foot building called Catalyst. Located on the IIIT-H Campus, the sprawling world-class building will bring the Hyderabad start-up community together by providing a platform for entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and academia to interact and collaborate. By connecting start-ups to top mentors, investors, organizations and academia, T-Hub will help every entrepreneur realize their dream.

At the launch among those who are present is Minister for Panchayat Raj and IT K. T. Rama Rao, who said that, “this is the place where an entrepreneur can walk in with an idea and walk out with a product, irrespective of him/her being from Meerut or Lucknow or Ranchi.” He also spoke about how product innovation would be very important for India to truly progress. T-Hub’s independence, coupled with the scope of the mission to drive economic and social prosperity through entrepreneurship, make T-Hub a unique global asset for Hyderabad, the state of Telangana and for India. Together, this shall fuel Hyderabad’s rise to become one of the top tech start-up cities in the world.

Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons inaugurating the Catalyst as well as the T-Hub ecosystem said it is the ‘first look of the new India of tomorrow’. He also said that, “Enterprises are built on innovations. I grew up in an environment where the boss would tell you to first gain some experience before you talk. It is not the case today. If there are good ideas, you need to find a way to implement them”. Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh E. S. L. Narasimhan, who inaugurated T-Hub, highlighted the need to create awareness of such incubation facility among students in rural areas to help them give shape to their innovative ideas.

05-11-2015

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS FOR MINORITY STUDENTS:VANAM JWALA NARASIMHA RAO

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS FOR MINORITY STUDENTS

VANAM JWALA NARASIMHA RAO

Telangana State Government has decided to start 60 residential schools for minority students from the 2016-2017 academic year. These Gurukul Schools form part of opening one school in each of the 119 Assembly segments in the State phase wise. The land on which Hyderabad Race Course Club and Chanchalguda Central Prison are located will be taken over by the Telangana State government for building residential schools for boys and girls of minorities. Of the 60 residential schools to be started to begin with, 30 would be for boys and another 30 for girl students. These institutions would function on the lines of the Social Welfare Residential Schools. Concerned officials of Minority Welfare have been instructed to start recruiting teaching and non-teaching staff for these residential schools. Proposal for creating the required number of posts of 2100-both teaching and non teaching- for establishing these schools in line with social welfare residential schools would be prepared. It is estimated that for classes 5, 6 and 7 that would be introduced in the first year @ 12 per school the requirement of staff would be 720 and when the classes reach 10^th standard the total requirement would be 2100. This includes staff at the headquarters for administration also. Urdu will be introduced as an optional language in these schools. However, the medium of instruction in minority schools would be English only.

This decision has been taken by the Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao in a review meeting on minority welfare measures in the state.

In the first year, the residential schools would be run in rented houses and permanent buildings would be constructed in the second year. The Chief Minister felt that a huge chunk of land is required for the construction of residential schools for the children of minority communities as their population is more in the city compared with other parts of the state. The Race Course and the Chanchalguda Central Prison are on vast extent of lands and these lands will suit the requirement. Hence, the Chief Minister directed the officials to shift Race Course and Chanchalguda jail and use the same place for constructing buildings for minority residential schools.

A special action plan would also be commenced to check the problem and provide employment to the Minorities through proper training and improving skills and accordingly Officials of minority welfare have been asked to start new self-employment schemes for minority youths. They are expected to come out with special programme to extend financial help to hawkers and vendors belonging to minority community. These hawkers and vendors were borrowing money at huge interest rates and suffering a lot financially. The Chief Minister said that 12 per cent Muslim Minorities and two per cent other minorities in the state were in poverty and there is every need to bring a change in their living standards. The literacy rate, especially among Muslims, was very less and the dropout rate was very high and hence it needs corrective measures said CM.

Chief Minister who is committed to the welfare of Muslims said that the present and future generation of them should make a better living and their standards of living should improve. Their welfare has to be viewed in Telangana context and no more in the context of AP. Provision of better education through residential school system and adequate employment opportunities are is the only way said CM.

In Telangana the two important mother tongues are Telugu and Urdu and as languages spoken by many they both need to be protected. However at a time when even countries like China prefers English as medium of instruction to compete in the world why not in this country and in our state? CM said we shall not drop Urdu at any cost but it will continue as a compulsory optional language like Telugu. In view of sizeable population not only in Hyderabad-Secunderabad but also in several districts and erstwhile Taluk headquarters there is a need to open residential schools. For this it is proposed to go for an autonomous society to run these schools. Its structure, model and eligibility criteria will be more or less on the lines of Telangana Social Welfare Residential Schools Education Society. District Collectors would be Chairpersons of these societies for minorities in their respective districts.

The system requires both English teaching and Urdu language teaching personnel. CM in fact made a promise in the Assembly that benefits to minorities’ children would be on par and similar to those of SC and SC children. CM said that educated Muslims should get better opportunities. Guidelines for categorization of various schemes are to be prepared.

07-11-2015