KCR govt at forefront of meeting people’s needs

The Telangana government has been giving utmost priority to the inclusive growth and taking various initiatives for the welfare of urban poor. Key initiatives for the poor in urban areas include: providing night shelters, rehabilitation of beggars, providing Rs.5 meals etc. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is building 1 lakh 2BHK House units for the urban poor in 109 locations in Hyderabad.

Metro rail
Due to pro-active approach of government, a 30-kilometre stretch of the prestigious Hyderabad Metro Rail project from Miyapur to Ameerpet and Ameerpet to Nagole was completed and inaugurated by Prime Minister in November 2017. While the Hyderabad Metro Rail project is the world’s largest metro rail project in PPP mode, opening of a big 30-km stretch in one go in the beginning stage itself is another record.

World Telugu meet
To promote of Telangana Telugu language and literature, the government organized Telugu Prapancha Mahasabhalu (World Telugu Conference) on a grand scale. The global event has highlighted glory of Telugu language and literature. The conference was attended by nearly 10000 delegates from various parts of the world. As part of the World Telugu Conference, the government has decided to introduce Telugu as a compulsory subject from First Class to Intermediate or 12th Class as the case may be.

Batukamma sarees
Bathukamma festival is an integral part of the Telangana culture and is a symbol of family relationships. On this occasion, the government has distributed ‘Sarees’ to poor women above the age of 18 years irrespective of their caste, community or religion to enable them to celebrate the festival with more enthusiasm.

Waiver of power dues of STs
The government has decided to waive of all the pending power dues of the STs as well as lifting of electrical cases against them. In addition, every ST habitation, house, for every ROFR patta farmer, power connection would be provided.

Employees' welfare
The government is giving top priority to the employees’ welfare and undertaken several measures in the last 45 months like Telangana increments, 43% fitment, issuance of Health cards, setting up of wellness centers, etc. To promote excellency in public services, the government has created ‘State Employees Incentive Scheme’. The Government employees rendering commendable public services are honored with a certificate of commendation and cash award.

The government has also announced creation next pay revision panel. A humanitarian approach has been demonstrated by government towards lower-level of employees. Honorarium for Anganwadi teachers has been enhanced from Rs7,000 to Rs 10,500 and Anganwadi helpers and mini-Anganwadi workers honorarium has been increased from Rs 4,500 to Rs 6,000.

Government has decided that payment of salaries and other allowances to 5,800 Archakas and other staff working in 650 temples under the Endowments department in the Telangana state will be given the state Government’s pay scales. The Dhoop Deep, Naivedyam programme, which is being implemented in 1805 temples, will be extended to another 3000 temples in the State.

Salaries of Asha workers who are rendering health services on the field for a salary of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per month will now get Rs 6,000 per month. Salaries of 710 ANMs who were appointed under European Commission in 2003, have been increased from Rs. 10,000 per month to Rs 21,000 per month. Government has hiked the salaries of Home Guards from 12,000 to 20,000 with a provision of yearly increment of Rs 1000. They would now get quota in double bed room houses, health insurance coverage etc.

Salaries of Village Revenue Assistants who are working on hereditary basis are hiked by 64.61 per cent. It has also been decided to increase the salaries of the Village Revenue Assistants from the existing Rs 6,500 per month to Rs 10,500 and over and above this Rs 200 per month as an increment for achieving the Telangana State. At the time when the Telangana State was formed the salary of Anganwadi teacher was Rs 4,200 per month. It has been enhanced to Rs 7,000 per month.

The government has decided to hike the salaries of Village Organization Assistants (VOA). There are 18,405 VOAs working in the state with salaries ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 per month. They would now get a salary of Rs 5,000 per month. The government has also decided to hike the salaries of GHMC sanitary workers by Rs 1500 per month now totalling to Rs 14,000 per month.

Law and Order
Within a short period of time, government has succeeded in securing the safety of the citizens in the State. This will have a multiplier effect of not only attracting the domestic investments to the State but also foreign investments. Police in the State has been provided with the State of the art surveillance equipment. The SHE teams launched by the Telangana Police have succeeded in preventing harassment, teasing and crimes against women. It goes to the credit of Telangana that they have succeeded in eliminating illicit liquor making and organized gambling. No wonder, Telangana police has been rated as one of the best in the country.

Collaborative approach
As against the earlier practice of erstwhile governments indulging in inter-state river water disputes, KCR Government took it as a challenge and he personally signed three agreements with Maharashtra Government represented by its Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 23rd August 2016 paving way for constructing three barrages across Penganga, Pranahitha and Godavari rivers at Chanakha-Korata, Tambhidihatti and Medigadda respectively.

By: Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao
(Writer is CPRO to Telangana CM)