Grama Jyothy - Community Movement in Telangana : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Grama Jyothy

Community Movement in Telangana

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

{Public Participation Must to 

Light up Grama Jyothy in TS

The New Indian Express (06-08-2015)}

            After meticulous design and planning followed by different stages of implementation of various flagship programs and prestigious schemes like Mission Kakatiya, Drinking Water Project, Haritaharam, Power Projects, Single Window Industrial Policy, Housing for Poor, Land Purchase, Swachh Hyderabad, Aasara pensions, Kalyana Laxmi, Shadi Mubarak etc, Telangana State Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has conceived yet another unique Community Up-Keeping Program all over the state aiming at development of 10, 000 and odd villages including Tandas. As part of this, every village will receive an amount ranging from Rs. 2 Crores to Rs. 5 Crores. Known as Grama Jyothy, to be formally announced on 15^th of August 2015 and to be launched on 17^th of August, an amount of Rs. 25, 000 Crores would be spent on integrated and comprehensive development of rural areas in the next five years. It will be a weeklong event up to August 24 when officials and elected public representatives will visit villages to prepare plans for development with the participation of people.

Towards “plan your village and clean your village” concept as part of this and to begin with, the Chief Minister desires that each and every elected representative-MP, MLA, MLC-should adopt one village in their respective constituency and make it a model village. In addition, several district level officers right from Collector, Superintendent of Police down the MRO and MDO etc. in the role of Change Agents will take lead in the village development. They will help in constituting village level committees. The threshold will be up-keeping of the village wherein the village Serpanch will be exposed to Gram Sabha and the entire activity would be made as development centric. Grama Jyothy will be followed by Pattana Jyothy with the same objective in urban areas.

Elaborating the details and towards chalking out an action plan as well as to discuss the modalities of implementation of the programme, a conference of District Collectors, Joint Collectors, Superintendents of Police and Departmental Heads was convened on 30^th July 2015 wherein the Chief Minister recalled the days that followed immediately after independence when Jawaharlal Nehru was first Prime Minister of India and SK Dey was India’s first Union Cabinet Minister for cooperation and Panchayat Raj. CM remembered Dey as the one who pioneered and steered community development in independent India and who believed that democracy means grassroots democracy. The Chief Minister touched upon several interesting aspects on Panchayat Raj, community development and cooperative institutions in his remarks in the conference and the need to emulate from that experience.

In India the two most important movements are Panchayat Raj and cooperative. These have been deliberately politicized and subjected to annihilation. Though 73rd Constitutional Amendment enumerates powers and functions of Panchayat Raj Institutions, in most of the states the desired results could not be achieved. It is meaningful to discuss the whole aspect with an objective to bring back the movement. In this context it is appropriate to refer to the Eisenhower-Jawaharlal Nehru meeting in USA during the days of first five year plan and SK Dey’s introduction to Nehru by Eisenhower. Dey was in charge of Rural America affairs at that time and Eisenhower was all praise for his work. After a luncheon discussion with Dey and mentioning that he is proud of him, Nehru invited Dey to return to India and take part in its development. Expressing his reservation on the First Five Year Plan priorities which had emphasis on industrial development, Dey politely deferred his decision to come back to India. He further suggested to Nehru that instead of taking forward the country with support from foreign technical knowhow, he should concentrate on distribution of Lakhs of acres of waste land to rural poor, give top priority for education and literacy and eradicate un-touchability.

On his return from US visit, Nehru called for a full-fledged cabinet meeting first and later Congress Working Committee and All India Congress Committee meetings, where he discussed at length the suggestions of Dey. This paved way for deviation in the subsequent plans. More emphasis on irrigation projects and public sector undertakings started emerging. “Temples of Modern India” was how they were named by Nehru. SK Dey on knowing these developments returned back to India and Nehru made him Member of Rajya Sabha and then as Union Cabinet Minister for Cooperation and Panchayat Raj. Dey’s commitment to developing grassroots democracy prompted Nehru to hand over the reins of Rural Development. As minister his pet project was the Community Development Program. Dey as minister spent considerable amount of time in National Institute of Rural Development in Hyderabad from where he steered Panchayat Raj movement. The first Panchayat Raj was formed in Shadnagar, Mahaboobnagar district by Jawaharlal Nehru on the auspicious day VijayDashami on October 14, 1959.

Against this background and history of community development program in India, sheer politicization has come in its place according to Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Rao. Seven decades of independence has not brought much change in the Panchayat Raj system. Is it possible to bring drastic change in the system with village as a basic unit? Can we imbibe the system with more concerted efforts? Unfortunately Serpanch who should think of his or her village development seldom stays in the village. Mandal Parishath President who has to concentrate on entire mandal area hardly visits even mandal headquarters. ZPTC member should be a link between mandal and Zillah Parishath. There is no proper devolution. Villages like Gangidevipally in Warangal District, Ankapally in Nizamabad District and Mulkanoor in Karimnagar District which excelled in rural and cooperative development should become the models and the best practices for others. When development is possible in these three villages why not others emulate from them?

It is time to take a pledge to do something for the village where we live. Let permanent assets be created. Unfortunately every village, wherever we go, resembles as one which does not belong to anyone. How to overcome this? In what manner we need to involve people? People who as individuals are very strong and as a team and society very week, need to be inculcated the habit of planning their village. CM told the Collectors that they should educate Serpanch, MPTC and ZPTC member and Mandal President about planning and how to plan the expenditure of their budget. They should also be told the benefits of collective strength. This would enable the Serpanch and others to do good job for their villages. Insisting that it should be a people’s program where the Government will only support administratively and financially, the CM told the Collectors and others that if it is otherwise the program would fail.

73^rd Amendment also provides for a Gram Sabha in each village exercising such powers and performing such functions at the village level as the Legislature of a State may provide by law. The Chief Minister says that very individual in the village should participate in the Gram Sabha during the week. The Gram Sabha should also take place with the participation of all public representatives. Minister from the district, ZP Chairperson, MP, MLA and MLC should be part of the Gram Sabha. They should draw up plans for development over the next five years after they are discussed widely. Apart from preparation of plans, people should also take part in hygiene and sanitation drive, removal of debris and closure of old wells. Expressing concern over non-development of villages despite spending thousands of crores of rupees, Chief Minister exhorted the people to participate in Grama Jyothy programme actively to bring about complete change and rapid development in villages.

Grama Jyothy belongs to all. It shall not be a mere individual’s effort but shall be a collective effort with participation of all individuals. The villagers ultimately decide the priorities of their village. When the whole village moves anything is possible. End  

Channa Reddy’s distinct style of functioning: Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

On the occasion of 15^th Anniversary of DR M Channareddy

Channa Reddy’s distinct style of functioning

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Former PRO to CM (Dr MCR)

“National Information Services”, a bilingual news and feature agency, based at Hyderabad, organised a seminar on June 3, 1989, on “Jawhar Rozgar - Panchayat Raj – Strengthening grassroots democracy”. Dr. Marri Channa Reddy as APCC-I President, while presiding over the seminar had thrown a challenge to the then NTR government and said: “Let us build up a strategy where every member of a family in the state can be uplifted in a manner that he or she can stand on their own feet and do away with the begging bowls. It is self-respect. Panchayat Raj alone can do this. It is a challenge from our own party and we take it up in the coming elections and ask the people whether this is good or begging is good. We shall face the people on this issue”. Dr Reddy was referring to the Rupees two a kilogram rice scheme. As challenged by him, they went to the polls in November-December, 1989, and under his leadership the Congress won a majority of seats and returned to power after a gap of seven years.

In fact, this concept of his, explicitly found place in the Congress (I) election manifesto for the 1989 assembly elections. The very first paragraph of the manifesto referred to the subsidized rice scheme and it was made very clear that the Congress will continue the rice being supplied to the vulnerable sections but would weed out bogus ration cards. He did it in fact. At the same time, the manifesto mentioned, that, the Congress party would evolve self-employment schemes, enabling the youth to stand on their own feet. This would also create self-confidence in them.

Then the Congress manifesto was drafted by a committee constituted for the purpose, but when the draft was shown to Dr. Reddy (at that time I was present there), he had not only gone through it very quickly but also made several changes instantaneously, then and there. For the draft preparation, it took almost a month but for Dr. Reddy, it took hardly 15 minutes to add 16-more points-paragraphs. Dr. Reddy was very clear in his thoughts and without even lifting the pen he went on writing the points (The handwritten manifesto by Dr. Reddy is still with me and is being kept as a souvenir).

Dr. Channa Reddy, who replaced N. Janardhan Reddy as APCC (I) president, had taken several measures to strengthen the party and convert it into a formidable force to face NTR in the 1989 elections. Most important among them were the “one Crore signatures from party cadre” against NTR government and mass “Jail Bharo”.

He was sworn in as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for the second time on December 3, 1984 at 12 noon, at Nizam College Grounds. Dr. Ready’s style of functioning has always been unique. He remembered everything and was always to the point in his instructions with no ambiguity. One has to understand, of course.

There was always his personal touch to all the messages, replies to letters received by him as well as several press releases emanating from the Chief Minister’s chambers. For instance, the thanksgiving letter from Dr. Reddy to hundreds of his well-wishers congratulating him on his assumption of office as Chief Minister was altogether unique in its style and content. He wrote: “It is widely known fact that I have inherited an administration which is in shambles needing urgent, painstaking and understanding attention to set it work smoothly and usefully”. Then he requested them for continuance of the same goodwill to enable him to serve the state effectively and for the good of all. It was not simply a one-line “thank you” reply as is normally done.

In another instance, when former Chief Minister of Punjab Darbara Singh died, the news of which came late in the night after I reached home, I thought, I would request for the Chief Minister’s dictation of the condolence message, since Dr. Reddy was Punjab Governor when Darbara Singh was Chief Minister. When the Chief Minister was informed of the death, he personally dictated the condolence message which again was unique in style.

Congratulating Dr. Reddy on his assumption of office as Chief Minister, the then Editor Blitz R.K. Karanjia wrote that “had Dr. Reddy continued as Governor of Punjab, the situation there would have been different”. Karanjia referred to the then prevailing violence in the State. Dr. Reddy was moved by these remarks and, with a high personal touch, thanked Karanjia. Dr. Reddy seldom read any prepared speech.

All India Radio and Doordarshan accept only a written speech to be delivered at the time of elections from political party leaders. That too only after it is submitted in advance for scrutiny. From the speech which Dr. Reddy as APCC president wanted to read out during 1989 elections, Doordarshan authorities suggested to delete one or two sentences and was informed of this. While accepting the suggestion with humour he said (Showing his HAND) “I give you a free hand”, hand being the election symbol of the Congress. None of his extempore speeches were casual. Every speech, whatever might be the occasion highlighted his government’s policies and his earlier experiences as well as anecdotes.

On the occasion of IMA Golden Jubilee Celebrations on December 10, 1989, Dr. Reddy said that in 1952 when he was asked to chose the portfolio after he became a minister for the first time in the Boorgula Ramakrishna Rao Cabinet, he made it clear that he would accept any portfolio other than medical and health. He was given food and agriculture, which at that time with all sorts of rationing, contracts and such things was a difficult one to handle. The reason given by him for not choosing the medical portfolio was that many professors under whom he studied were still working in the department and it was not proper on his part to become a Minister in that department.

In another anecdote which he narrated on the occasion of the silver jubilee celebrations of the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Dr. Reddy said that Rajendranagar, when APAU is situated was originally known as Himayath Sagar. It was changed to Rajendranagar, when Dr. Rajendra Prasad, came there as a guest to the Kidwai Cottage on the campus. Dr. Reddy sought the permission of Dr. Prasad to name it as Rajendranagar after him. This was done, as he was the first agricultural minister of free India.

Dr. Reddy chose the occasion at a function organised by Rotary Club of Hyderabad on January 25, 1990, to say that he was more a politician than a doctor. He said that he sincerely believed in politics. He narrated yet another anecdote and said that when he was asked in 1950, while travelling with a military officer, as to what his profession was, for a moment he could not reply. At that time he was a Member of Parliament and as such he was completely floored. He was not mentally prepared for that question, said Dr. Reddy.

When the coastal belt of the state was hit by a severe cyclone in May, 1990, Dr. Reddy despite the urgency for a medical check-up postponed his trip to USA. Even his family had left for the airport, but he preferred to stay back and personally supervise the cyclone relief operations. He also pointed out that the ninth Finance Commission had specifically made a recommendation that in such a grave situation, the Centre may have to take appropriate action and incur the necessary expenditure. It was he who first talked of National Calamity and said, “If this is not treated as national calamity, what else could be treated as national calamity”?

When a World Bank team visited Hyderabad at that time, he got prepared a cyclone reconstruction project report and was presented to them with a total outlay of Rs. 2,800 Crore. It was a multi-sectoral and cost effective one covering to set right the damages caused by the cyclone. The Project Report was commended by the World Bank Team Leader George Russel. Arjun Rao was the Commissioner for Relief and Rehabilitation at that time. Later, when Dr. Reddy went to USA, he pursued and finally obtained World Bank loan.

Till he was admitted to the hospital for a medical check-up in USA on June 7, 1990 he was totally engrossed in the work of World Bank assistance and also met the senior Vice President of the Bank Moin Qureshi. In a record time of 14 days, Qureshi sent a team of 14 eminent experts who toured the entire state, which ultimately helped in getting the loan.

Dr Reddy is remembered for ever and ever for his leadership to the cause of separate Telangana state, even though, political compulsions prevailing then forced him to withdraw the agitation and accept to return back to the fold of madam Indira Gandhi.