KCR insists on team work to develop T

Hyderabad, June 13 (INN): Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday advised all political parties to work as a team to ensure fast pace development of Telangana State.

Replying to the debate on Governor's address in the State Legislative Assembly here, KCR said that the TRS Government alone could not achieve any goals set for the new State.

He said that the Telangana would not achieve growth and development unless all political parties and leaders play their role. He said that the TRS Government would convene all-party meetings frequently to seek the suggestions of all leaders on different issues.

KCR announced that the first all party meeting will be held for three consecutive days on June 15, 16th and 17th to discuss different issues concerning the new State.

The Chief Minister dismissed the demand of opposition parties to set a time-frame to implement the poll promises. He said that Telangana is a newly formed State and things need to settle after the completion of process of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

Therefore, he said it was difficult to set the deadlines at this stage. However, he said that several processes have been set in motion and things will start taking shape soon.

KCR said there was truth in the allegation by opposition parties that the Governor's speech sounded like his own speech. He said that the people have given mandate to his party and therefore, the Governor's address would sound like the speech of Chief Minister himself.

He reiterated that his government would implement all the promises that it made with the people. He said Telangana needs to be re-invented and re-oriented and the dream of "Bangaru Telangana" should be realised.

The Chief Minister stressed upon the need to end political and official corruption to ensure that the benefits of schemes reach the real beneficiaries. He said he would not hesitate to send his own family members to jail if they indulge in corruption.

Speaking about the package offered to martyrs of Telangana, he said that the sacrifices made by the martyrs could not be matched with anything. However, a small monetary package, one government job and other sops are being offered to them as a small tribute.

Accepting the demand of opposition parties to extend similar benefits to those who participated in 1969 Telangana movement, he advised the leaders to furnish available data to the government.

KCR expressed confidence of mobilising huge funds to implement the welfare schemes including Rs 1 lakh crore for the welfare of SCs, STs, BCs and minorities. He sought the cooperation of all political parties in his drive to organise funds. He also defended hiring retired IAS officers as Government Advisors.

The Chief Minister said that the pension for old age and disable would be given on the models of American and European nations. He also announced that the pension scheme for nearly 7 lakh beedi workers would be finalised in the next two months in consultation with the Labour Commissioner and District Collectors.

With regard to crop loan waiver scheme, KCR said that the government would give a clear picture in the next 4 to 5 days. He said that the loan amount is expected to be around Rs 19,000 crore and the scheme would benefit nearly 26 lakh farmers. He also said that the government would consider waiving off gold loans that were taken up for farming.

The Chief Minister said that an all-party meeting would be held in the next two-three days on the issue of fee reimbursement. He said that the 108 and 104 Services would be continued and they would be strengthened further.

He also assured that there would be no damage to the heritage structures due to the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project. He said that the HMR's design could be modified by adding underground segments at some places, as was done in Bengaluru, to ensure that the city's heritage structures remain intact.