Telangana Governor ESL Narsimhan has made it clear that in order to make Hyderabad a safe zone and an attractive destination, law and order would be the top priority of the State government.
Addressing joint session of the Legislative Assembly and Council of the Telangana State, Narsimhan said there would be constant surveillance with a network of CC cameras and other advanced gadgets covering the entire urban agglomeration to make the city safe like London in the UK and New York in the US. He warned that any offence detrimental to the interests of the State would be dealt with an iron-hand. Those responsible for any kind of disturbance and disorder in the society would be taken to task without fear or favor, he warned.
Narsimhan said keeping in view the large number of women employees working in Hyderabad city, especially in the IT sector, the State government would pay special attention on tight security and maintenance of law and order on top priority. It would be the government’s endeavor to make Hyderabad a safe haven for working women.
The Governor felt that it is indeed a momentous occasion today as it marks the realization of the dreams of crores of people of Telangana, who made relentless efforts and agitations over decades for separate State. At the same time, the State government cannot forget the sacrifices of hundreds of youngsters, who played a key role in the last one-and-a-half decade long movement for achieving statehood for Telangana.
Observing that no one could measure the value of the sacrifices made by the sons and daughters of the soil for the cause of Telangana, the Governor said the government was determined to extend Rs 10 lakh monetary assistance to each of the bereaved families. Besides, the government job would be provided to one eligible person in each such bereaved family. Cultivable land would also be provided in case of the family involved in farming, apart from housing, to the needy, along with free education and health carte to their family, he explained.
POLITICAL CORRUPTION TO BE CURBED
Observing that graft, particularly political corruption, was the bane of the polity and economy and unless it was eradicated the fruits of progress cannot reach one and all, the Governor disclosed that the State government was committed to root out political corruption at any cost. “We are implementing a transparent strategy to eliminate graft at all levels”, he added.
The Governor enumerated various welfare measures the State government was planning to implement as mentioned in the TRS election manifesto and also as repeatedly announced by party president K. Chandrasekhara Rao. Laying special emphasis on the welfare of SCs, STs, BCs, Minorities and other poorer sections of the society, the Governor said the Government would spend Rs one lakh crores in the coming five years for the welfare of these sections. He said this would include Rs 50,000 crores for the welfare of the SCs and Rs 25,000 crores for BC welfare.
Stating that Telangana was known for its “Ganga Jamuna Tehzeeb”, the Governor said it would be responsibility of the government to take care of the interests of the minorities. Thus, apart from providing 12 percent reservation to the minorities, the government would provide an unprecedented annual allocation of Rs 1000-crore budget for the welfare of the minorities.
The other welfare activities enunciated by the State government for implementation during the coming years include Rs 1500 monthly pension for physically handicapped, Rs 1000 for the aged, beedi workers in financial distress to be paid Rs 100 per month, Rs Three lakh worth house for the needy poor, compulsory and free education from KG to PG level with CBSE syllabus in English, Rs 10 crores welfare fund for journalists, a Rs 100 crore corpus fund for the welfare of lawyers .
Beneficiaries of the government’s welfare measures include RTC workers, employees of Singareni Collieries and workers involved in construction sector, tax exemption for autos plying in Telangana State apart from accident insurance which would also include the workers in construction sector.
T STATE TO TURN SEED BOWL OF INDIA
The Governor said since majority of the population depended on agriculture and allied sectors for their livelihood, the State government was determined to pay attention to rapid progress of agriculture, irrigation and power sectors. As an initial measure to reduce debt burden and bring fresh hopes and vigour among the farming community, crop loans up to Rs one lakh to each farmer would be waived. As agriculture scientists have found the agro-climate of Telangana best suited for producing high quality seeds, steps would be taken to encourage farmers to produce seeds of high quality so as to transform Telangana into “Seed bowl of India:, he Governor added.
Explaining in detail about the various plans being formulated by the government to increase the irrigation potential and bring lakhs of acres parched land under cultivation, Narsimhan said apart from focusing on completing various pending projects, the Union government would also be persuaded to accord nation project status to Pranahita-Chevella project.
Reminding that Telangana State was facing power shortage, the Governor said the government would take up with the Centre to fulfill its commitment to set a 4000 MW power plant by NTPC. Besides, it was also planned to generate 6,000 MW power through GENCO in the private sector. As part of efforts to tone up public health, super speciality hospitals would be established in all the districts. A cotton and silk hub would be established in Warangal and Sircilla on the lines of Tirupur of Tamilandu to transform these towns into a thriving textile industrial centers. The Railway Ministry would be persuaded to set up a Railway Coach Factory at Kazipet, he added.
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