The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has proposed a State advisory council comprising editors, experts in various fields and educationists to help and advise the new government in Telangana.
Party president K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who released the party election manifesto here on Friday, said they have been talking about the council for the last few years as a “watchdog” to monitor the development of Telangana State. It may be recalled Mr. Rao had also declared that he would not hold any office of power but remain the chairman of the council to guide the destiny of the new State.
The constitution of the council was an effort to tone up administration with the help of civil society, Mr. Rao said. The document which was divided into 36 sections covering different areas of development also promised to make Telangana the “seed bowl of India” as it has the potential to produce seed to meet the agricultural requirements of the entire country. The new government would set up a seed development corporation with private participation.
The TRS promised political reservation of 33.3 per cent for women and 33 per cent for backward classes. The Telangana government would implement the Tamil Nadu model of reservations by exercising its power to use the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution that took away powers of court to examine the validity of law. In this context, Mr. Rao promised 12 per cent reservation each for STs and minorities and 3 per cent for physically handicapped.
The party noted the shortage of 2,500 MW power for Telangana in the next three years and promised to bridge the gap by stepping up generation in the public sector and laying a 109 km transmission line from Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh to Bhoopalapally. It promised to improve agriculture and irrigation sectors by seeking reallocation of river water before Bachawat tribunal.
Thirty-bed hospitals with four doctors would come up in each mandal headquarters. A healthy working environment will be maintained for government staff by ensuring that they are not frequently transferred. Single window clearances and 24 hour power supply will be maintained for industries.
In the section dealing with civil rights, the TRS promised to look into Naxalite problem with social, political and economic perspective. It called for a cultural renaissance as the language, culture and living of the people of the region was destroyed in integrated State.
Mr. Rao administered oath to the 69 candidates chosen to contest elections that they would participate in the reconstruction of Telangana State.
