TS to seek 1 lakh crore for irrigation infra schemes

Hyderabad: Aiming to get more funds from the Central government, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao will seek funds to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore for capital investment to complete the ongoing irrigation and other infra schemes taken up by his government in the state before the 15th Finance Commission. The Commission headed by NK Singh will embark on a four-day visit to the state from Sunday. 

During the visit, the Commission will hold meetings with state government, industries’ associations and trade unions. On behalf of the government, the Chief Minister will make a power presentation explaining the development taking place in his dispensation in Telangana since 2014.  

Official sources said the CM has prepared a detailed note on the highest revenue growth achieved by Telangana in the country and the increasing requirement of funds to implement the developmental programmes mainly the construction of irrigation projects, multi-crore drinking water schemes under Mission Bhagiratha, rejuvenation of tanks under Mission Kakatiya, establishment of new  thermal power plants and development of road network connecting all remote villages with mandal headquarters. 

The demand for the allocation of Rs 20,000 crore and according national project status to Kaleshwaram has been pending before the Union government, officials said, adding that KCR will make a special presentation on the project and the financial challenges before the state government for the completion of the project before the deadline. He will request the Commission to recommend to the Centre for special allocation of funds to Kaleshwaram. 

The stat government has already appealed to the Centre to earmark Rs 30,000 crore funds to Mission Kakatiya and Mission Bhagiratha. Sources said that KCR will also bring to the notice of the Commission the substantial increase in the allocations for welfare schemes which put heavy burden on the state to meet the financial needs for capital investment. To overcome the fund crunch, the CM will request the Commission for the increase of devolution from the present 42 per cent to 50 per cent.