To ensure comprehensive and overall development of rural areas in Telangana, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has decided to launch a new scheme called “Gram Jyoti”.
The new scheme will be launched on the occasion of Independence Day on August 15. Under the new scheme, the State Government proposes to spend Rs. 25,000 crore during the next five years. Based on the population, the State Government will sanction funds from Rs. 2-6 crore for each village for various developmental programmes.
The Chief Minister has also announced the constitution of a Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Panchayat Raj Minister K Tarakarama Rao to finalise the modalities of the new scheme. Minister Etala Rajender, Tummala Nageshwara Rao, T Harish Rao, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Jogu Ramanna will be the other members of Cabinet Sub-Committee.
The decision to launch “Gram Jyoti” programme was taken during a high-level review meeting chaired by KCR at his camp office on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the scheme was aimed at strengthening the Panchayat Raj system in the State while activating the Gram Panchayats. The review meeting was attended by KTR and Harish Rao.
Panchayat Raj Secretary Raymond Peter, Additional Secretary CMO Sabitha Sabharwal, Ranga Reddy Collector Raghunand Rao, RWS Engineer-in-Chief Surender Reddy and other officials were also present in the meeting.
KCR said the Gram Panchayats should be authorised to prepare their own development plans and the same should be funded by the State Government. He directed the Cabinet Sub-Committee to submit its report within a week.
KTR and Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Niranjan Reddy will convene a meeting with District Collectors, Joint Collectors, Rural Development Commissioners and other senior officials on July 30 at Dr. MCR HRD Institute at Jubilee Hills. (INN)