Telangana State welfare schemes now cover from cradle to grave

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s latest announcement of crediting Rs 4,000 per acre into each farmer’s account towards the cost of purchasing fertilisers is yet another milestone in the history of welfare in Telangana state.

This unprecedented decision will help about 55 lakhs of farmers across the state procure about 25 lakhs of tonnes of fertilisers needed for farming. This is in addition to a series of welfare measures being implemented for farmers since the formation of state.

As promised in its election manifesto, the TRS government already waived the crop loans of 36.33 lakh farmers, which are below Rs 1 lakh amounting to Rs 17,000 crore and all the four installments have been released.

The state government has also been giving Rs 6 lakh ex-gratia to the farmers who have committed suicides. Subsidised micro irrigation and uninterrupted power supply is also aimed at welfare of farmer.

Welfare state, a concept of government, is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution, and public responsibility for those unable to avail themselves of the minimal provisions for a good life. Sir William Beveridge, considered as the author of a welfare state, in his report to the British parliament in November 1942, proposed a system of social security which would be operated by the state.

This is exactly or perhaps even more than Beveridge envisaged, as is being witnessed in the state of Telangana. Welfare encompasses those government programmes that provide benefits and economic assistance to no or low income people living in Telangana.

Welfare of the Government of Telangana aims to improve the quality of life and living standards of the poor and underprivileged. It may sound a bit philosophical, but the schemes conceived and being implemented by KCR government will take care of every stage of a human being’s life – from ‘Cradle to Grave.’

Several of these innovative schemes are not only first of their kind in the country but also become role models and torch-bearers for other States to emulate. From a pregnant mother to child, later the education of the child when it becomes an adult to the marriage of a girl at every phase, the government has a scheme or two.

Take for instance, welfare for women. For all the government women employees, a 90-day special leave is given to them which is besides the 3 months maternity leave. For those women getting their deliveries done in government hospitals, there is a scheme to take care of her nutritional requirements during the anti-natal stage. An amount of Rs 12,000 is given at different stages of ante-natal and post-natal care. If the woman is blessed with a girl child, an additional Rs 1000 is given to the mother.

KCR Kit with 16 essential items required for a newborn worth about Rs 2,000 is given to the mother and child. Through “Amma Vodi” scheme, pregnant women living in the remote agencies are brought to the hospitals and transport provided for her after the delivery. After the child is born, to give her nutritional diet, there is ‘Arogya Laxmi’ programme for providing nutritional diet one time daily through Anganwadi centre.

During the child’s education period, mid-day meal scheme is implemented with fine rice. Fee reimbursement for the students, benefit of scholarship scheme to pre-metric, post-metric, graduate, post-graduate and professional education students who are poor are also available. The state government has introduced English medium in schools and launched in a big way residential schools for the SC/ST/Minority/BCs as part of KG to PG system of education.

Study Circles are formed in the districts for the SC/ST/BC students preparing for the competitive examinations. For those aspiring minority students who want to pursue their higher studies abroad, the government is giving overseas scholarships on the lines of Dr Ambedkar Overseas Scholarship given to the SCs. At the time of marriage of girl child, Kalyana Laxmi/Shadi Mubarak schemes are implemented, through which Rs 75,116 is given to the mother of bride. There is an economic support scheme to provide employment to the unemployed youth.

For every individual to have a proper meal, the government is giving 6 kg subsidised rice for each and every member of the family. In Hyderabad, a meal is given to the poor at a nominal price of Rs 5 per plate. Autos are available to the minority youth with 50 per cent subsidy to run the auto services in Hyderabad under "Own your Auto" Scheme.

For the welfare of the Most Backward Classes, a separate Finance Corporation is set up. Towards strengthening the rural economy, hereditary professions are going to have better days ahead. For the benefit and welfare of the Yadav and Kuruma communities, who are traditionally dependent on sheep breeding, government has embarked on a slew of measures. For those who are dependent on fisheries, the state government has initiated several schemes. 100 per cent subsidy is given for fish culture.

Several schemes are also in place for the development and welfare of handloom weavers and workers. Hair dressing saloons are brought under the category of domestic sector for power tariff and measures are initiated to upgrade saloons in the rural sector.

As part of welfare from cradle to grave, the State government has decided to put an end to the land disputes and rectify the land records. As part of this, it has brought in several reforms in Registration and Mutations. Sada Bainama (Agreements written on plain paper) below 5 acres of land in rural areas are registered free of cost. Welfare schemes for the upper caste Brahmin community are also being implemented in the State. In the last two years Rs 200 crore has been allotted for the Brahmin welfare.

For those 470 martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of separate Telangana State, the government sanctioned Rs 10 Lakh per family besides one job to the eligible person in the family and for those living on farming one acre of land. In order to help the handicapped, widows, old age persons, toddy tappers, weavers, HIV patients, beedi rollers, old age artistes, the Government of Telangana is giving pension under the Aasara scheme.

Old age people and widows were getting Rs 200 per month as pension earlier which has been enhanced to Rs1,000 now. Similarly for handicapped and old age artistes, the same has been enhanced from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500. Income limit for eligibility has also been enhanced to include more people. Aasara pension is also extended to single women.

The SC/ST Sub Plan is renamed as SC/ST Special Development Fund and it is used only for the SC/ST families and their places of residence. The Bill making these amendments was passed by the Legislative Assembly and Council. The funds granted in the Budget will directly go to the SC/ST development Ministry.

To give a proper shelter to the poor, the government has embarked upon the 2-bedroom houses scheme. The government has instructed the officials to pay pension of those retiring on the same day of their retirement. Welfare even after the death of a person is what that has been envisaged by the government.

The state government is keen on making proper arrangements for the dead and to provide relief to the near and dear. And this is how the Telangana government is taking care of welfare of the people from cradle to grave. (Writer is the Chief Public Relations Officer to Telangana CM)

By Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao