TS' to make strong pitch for central funds

HYDERABAD: The Telangana government, while making a strong case for grant of more funds, has decided to explain to the 14th Finance Commission the needs and aspirations of the people and also plans to reinvent the new State.

The Finance Commission is scheduled to meet government officials here Friday. Though the Commission members had earlier visited and accepted the representation of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh government, it is visiting Hyderabad again in the wake of the changed priorities of Telangana post-division of AP.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday convened a preparatory meeting to finalise the memorandum to be submitted to the Commission. Schemes proposed by each State department would be explained to the Commission.

The memorandum would include Mana Vooru-Mana Pranalika, Intensive Household Survey, restoration of minor irrigation tanks, making Hyderabad a safe and smart city, tribal welfare, drinking water grid and Telangana Haritha Haaram.

'The needs of the people are known after preparation of Mana Vooru Mana Pranalika. The Finance Commission should allocate funds keeping this in mind,' Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said at the meeting.

Rao also directed the officials to inform the Finance Commission that the previous governments implemented useless programmes like Neeru-Meeru and misused funds without achieving concrete results.

'Telangana government will not launch such schemes and does not waste funds. It will take up useful and productive works like Haritha Haaram and Water Grid. So, the Finance Commission should release funds liberally to the newly-formed State,' government sources said.

The government would also inform the Finance Commission that the government was taking up works to increase ground water levels and improving greenery. The plans to divert Krishna water for the drinking water needs of Hyderabad and taking up of Palamuru and Pakala-Jurala irrigation projects would also be explained.

But the quantum of money to be sought from the Centre has not yet been finalised. For example, the water grid alone requires `25,000 crore. The Centre is ready to fund the drinking water projects and Telangana government is expecting a huge central share for the water grid.

The State government will also seek funds for strengthening of police force and proposed neighbourhood police in the state on the lines of Singapore.