CM KCR's Independence Day Full speech at Golconda Fort, Hyderabad
15-08-2019, Golconda Fort, Hyderabad:
Independence Day greetings to all the people in Telangana State. On this solemn occasion, I pay my tributes to all those who fought for freedom and sacrificed for the Nation. Our committed and dedicated efforts for the past five years to put the Telangana state on the right track have been and are successful.
Economic Development
The economic and financial growth of the Telangana State for the past five years has been steady. We could achieve this due to our fiscal discipline, which gave no scope to any corruption and which led to timely and speedy decisions. According to a report announced by the Central Government, In the 2018-19 Financial Year, our State was figured among the top states in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) with 14.84 per cent growth rate. The resources accrued due to the steady income growth have been utilised in a planned manner which has resulted in doubling the State’s wealth in the last five years. At the time of formation of Telangana state, the State’s wealth was about 4 Lakh Crore and now it is worth Rs 8.66 Lakh Crore. This is an indicator of the economic growth of the State.
The Progressive March
Peace and harmony are prospering in the State. With a view to helping the poor, we have given more priority to Welfare and made it a top priority sector. We have ensured that there shall be no problem with regards to the basic needs. We could find solutions to the issues and problems, which were haunting the Telangana for a long time. We could get the attention of the country with our ideal governance. We could get over the bad consequences, which proved destructive to life in the Telangana region under the united AP rule. We could get the people to such a level where they are able to live with the basic minimum living standards. For the past five years, firm and concrete steps were taken to realise the aims and objectives enshrined by the State. Telangana state is now going ahead with confidence and with a positive attitude. I am now sharing with the people on the occasion of the Independence Day celebrations that this forward march towards progress will be a continuous affair.
With Golconda Fort, a rich historical monument and seat of proud lineage, as the dais, on the occasion of Independence Day Celebrations, we have started many programmes in the past and achieved good results. With the same spirit, the State government has decided to launch a plan to improve the villages and towns and offer good governance to the people.
Administrative reforms
The state government has embarked upon reforming several Acts and Laws, to offer good governance, to eradicate corruption and to eliminate ills and delays and to develop villages and towns. The state government has created new administrative divisions to bring governance to the people’s doorstep and for the effective implementation of the development and welfare schemes. In the past, the Telangana state had 10 districts and we increased them to 33 now. Revenue Divisions have been increased from 43 to 69. 459 Mandals have become 584. Municipalities have been increased from 68 to 142. Newly 7 Municipal Corporations were crated increasing their number to 13. Girijan Thanda, Adivasis Gudems, remote villages were made as Special Panchayats. In the past 8690, Gram panchayats were there and they are increased to 12, 751 now. The gram Sarpanches who are elected recently, for the first time will be hosting the national flag proudly in their villages, Thandas, Gudems, which have become the Panchayats.
New Zonal System
The government has created a new Zonal System so that the locals will get more job opportunities. The state government has enacted an Act, which was accepted by the Central Government. Under the Act, 95 per cent of locals will get the local cadre jobs. Now recruitments in the State are being done in accordance with this new Act.
New Acts
The government is of the view that good governance to people is possible through the administrative reforms only. The existing Acts will not be sufficient to offer good governance without giving any opportunity to corruption. There came a need to replace totally all the old Acts. This is the reason why the State government came out with a New Panchayat Raj Act and a New Municipality Act. A new Revenue Act is also in the pipeline. With the New Acts, I am sure there will be clean, tidy villages and towns with lots of greenery. The new Revenue Act is being prepared to offer hassle-free services to people and farmers.
60-Day Special Action Plan
The government is preparing a special action plan for 60 days in the villages and towns to introduce the new approach and for the implementation of the Acts. The government has decided to release funds from the Finance Commission grants before the commencement of the 60-day action programme to the local bodies. Whether it is in the villages or towns, unhygienic conditions are the root cause of ill health. In this 60-day programme, officials and the public representatives with huge public participation should change the topography of villages and towns.
The first phase of the 60-day programme is aimed at improving the sanitation in the villages and towns with the participation of people. We all know that cleanliness is next to godliness and god manifests only where there is cleanliness. Un-cleanliness is a symbol of ill health and uncivilly. As part of the 60-day programme, civil society organizations with the participation of people should work towards clearing the garbage totally. After this 60-day programme, there should be a total change in the appearance of the villages and towns. Poor people become victims of an unhealthy environment. Gram Panchayats and Municipalities with the people’s participation should get the garbage cleared totally.
The programme aimed at increasing the cleanliness
We know what kind of situation we see today in the villages and towns. This view daily haunts us. We find wild growth of weeds, dilapidated houses, and cattle sheds everywhere. Sewerage pits becoming breeding ground for the mosquitoes. These are the scenarios one would see all over the State. We have to remove all these in the 60-day programme. Fill-up the borewells that are not in use.
Power Week
We often see, dangerously hanging snapped power lines, twisted and bent electricity poles, rusted poles in the villages and towns. In the absence of a Third wire, it became a problem to maintain the streetlights. To come out of this situation, the electricity department should observe Power Week with the participation of the people. Twisted pols should be straightened, rusted poles should be replaced and hanging wires should be attended to. The government will provide the required electric poles, wires. Electricity department staff will be available for the week in villages and divisions. I request all to take advantage of the opportunity and get all the problems, issues pertaining to the Electricity solved.
Programme for improving greenery
Every village and town, in the 60-day programme, should set up the sapling nurseries based on their need with the help of the local bodies. Suggestions given by the Green Committee (Haritha Committee) on the number of plants and their species should be followed strictly. 10 per cent of the village and Town Budget should be allocated for the growth of greenery. Saplings to be planted in a manner as suggested by the Green Committee and make people also plant the saplings accordingly. 6 saplings will be provided to every house in the villages and towns based on the request made by the concerned. People should grow these plants and become inspirational to protect them. Don’t give a room or opportunity to be negligent in protecting the plants.
We can buy any comfort with money, but when there is no equilibrium in the environment, no amount of money or artificial comforts can comfort us. We cannot buy rains, air and tranquillity with money. Green plants, clean environment will only give us a comfortable life. They will reduce stress. They keep the temperatures under control. It is not enough if we give wealth to the next generation. We have to give a green atmosphere, like heredity and it should be our bounden duty. The government is proposing an ideal policy during the 60-day programme. Following this policy, villages and towns should prepare their annual and five-year plans in their governing councils. These plans should have the approval of the Gram Sabhas. Based on this, the local bodies should spend the funds. Through this, a way to develop towns and villages will be formed.
The government has decided to strengthen the Panchayat Raj Institutions to make the villages ideal and centres of progress and development. The government has instructed that all the vacancies in the Panchayat raj should be filled up immediately. I am making a call to the officials and elected representatives from this august dais on the occasion of the Independence Day celebrations, that they should work with more dedication and commitment to achieve the aims and objectives of new Acts and to win a permanent place in the hearts of people.
We are able to overcome the power crisis, which became a hindrance to progress, within a short span of time. We could put an end to drinking water crisis through Mission Bhagiratha, an innovative programme lauded by all and the entire country is now looking at it as a role model. We have doubled the amount of Asara pensions as promised during the elections. We are giving Rs 3016 per month to the differently-abled persons and Rs 2016 to others. We have decided to reduce the eligibility age limit for the old-age pension from 65 to 57 years and will be paying the enhanced pension to the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries’ list is under preparation by the officials.
Agriculture-Farmer’s welfare
The agriculture policy being implemented by the Telangana government has become a role model for others all over the country. The United Nations has enhanced our state’s prestige at the international level by incorporating our Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bheema polices as part of the great initiatives launched in the world for agriculture development. The UN heaped praises on our government. This is a proud moment for our farmers’ fraternity and all of us.
As per the promise made during the elections, the investment support for agriculture financial assistance given under Rythu Bandhu in enhanced from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per acre per year. Rythu Bheema programme which is implemented in the State is unique for the state and nowhere else it is implemented in the country. The government has issued orders to waive crop loans up to Rs one lakh as promised during the elections. We have revived tanks and lakes under Mission Kakatiya programme.
Kaleshwaram Project
Projects on Krishna and Godavari Rivers which are on the fast track completion are very much before our eyes. The Kaleshwaram project, a man mad wonder that caught the attention of the whole world, was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh recently. The entire country lauded the project as a symbol and message of matured governance of the state, its diplomacy and culture of friendship to the entire country. There is an all-round opinion that the Live and let Live policy adapted by the Telangana Government will be worth emulating by other state governments.
To complete such a massive project, it generally takes 15 to 20 years time. I thank all the workers, officials, engineers, staff who weathering cold and hot climate, working in three shifts daily and putting in hard work day and night have completed the project within a short span of three years. I once again thank all those achievers who made this a reality.
Additional 577 TMC
Through the Kaleshwaram project, the state is able to utilise 400 TMC of assured water. 100 TMC through Sitarama Project to supply water to Khamma district, 75 TMC through Devadula project to supply water to the united Warangal district can be utilised as assured water. The government is making all-out efforts to supply water for irrigation through these fast completing two projects by next year. I am sharing the happy news that by next June, farmers in the state will get an opportunity to get an additional 575 TMC other than the existing Godavari projects water.
Palamoor Projects
The government has completed on a fast track all the ongoing projects in Palampur district. We are able to supply water to 11.20 Lakh acres in Palamoor district along with Jurala. Like Kaleshwaram, Palamoor-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation project will also be completed on a fast track and water for irrigation will be provided to farmers in united Mahbubnagar district, Vikarabad and Rangareddy districts.
Hereditary Professions
People are aware and know that the government is giving special encouragement to the village industries and hereditary professions. The schemes being implemented for the welfare and development of weavers and toddy tappers are all in front of the people’s eyes. The government has given equal status to all festivals of all the communities. Giving respect to everyone’s sentiments, the government is protecting the Ganga Jamuna Tehjeeb with commitment.
We have become a role model in the country, by running 906 Residential Schools for the Dalits, tribals, backward classes and the minorities. We are implementing welfare programmes for advocates and journalists, which no other state is doing.
Public Health
The State government’s health policy is helping to protect the health of the poor. The KCR Kits programme along with the cash incentives has yielded outstanding results. There is a significant drop in the infant and maternity mortality rate in the state. The Kanti Velugu programme gave a wonderful opportunity to the people to get their eye defects corrected. The government is preparing a Telangana health profile based on the results diagnostic tests of the people.
Industries—Information Technology
Industrial growth is increasing rapidly in the State. IT growth is steadily progressing. The fact that in the last five years, IT exports increased from Rs 52,000 Crore to Rs 1.10 Lakh crore shows the achievements we recorded in the IT sector in our state.
Development of Hyderabad
The government is implementing a special strategy for the development of the twin cities. The government is planning to increase the number of Basti Clinics to give free medical help to the poor. The Metro Rail is providing better transportation to the people.
New Revenue Act
The archaic and obsolete Revenue Acts have inflicted immense damage to farmers and people. We have to undo these damages. Hence the government is engrossed in preparing a new revenue Act. Let me share the good news with you that in the coming Budget session of the Assembly, the new Revenue Act will be introduced. The proposed act will give no room for corruption or laxity.
Law and Order
The State is among the first in the maintenance of the law and order in the country. The Command and Control System in Hyderabad will soon be operational for the smooth conduct of various festivals, events, providing services during natural calamities besides monitoring the law and order situation. On this occasion, let me congratulate the police force for effectively controlling the crime rate. In this context, I also appeal to people to cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony in the State.
Conclusion
In the Telangana State, which we have realised after great movement, the reconstruction plan we have done with utmost devotion like performing of a Yagna. We have implemented development and welfare schemes in a big way to address the basic needs of people. We have created roads, drinking water facilities, power and other basic infrastructure facilities. Today Telangana State stood before the country as proud and model state. The foundations needed for the construction of a Bangaru Telangana have been laid strongly. Our dream will be realised very soon through moral, committed governance. Hence, the government is doing away with the old and obsolete Acts and bringing in the new Acts in tune with the contemporary social reality in society. Measures are taken so that people are not put to any hardships in the government offices. Let us march forward with the slogan, Good governance, in our own state. Everyone should become part of the gigantic progressive march to achieve the highest goal. People should become partners and get ready to have a beautiful future.
I once again convey my Independence Day greetings to people in the State. Jai Hind, Jai Telangana.