The Telangana Government has sought grants-in-aid to the tune of Rs. 20,950.87 crore from the 14th Finance Commission that was in Hyderabad on Friday as part of its visits to States to make recommendations to the Centre on various financial aspects in a federal set up.
A memorandum submitted by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao to Commission chairman Y.V. Reddy showed that water sector management and development of water grid occupied the top-most priority of the government.
A grant of Rs. 7,700 crore was sought for the sector. Maintenance of forest (Rs. 1,046 crore), elementary education (Rs. 1,327 crore), maintenance of roads and bridges (Rs. 1,000 crore), power sector - segregation of agriculture feeders (Rs. 1,316 crore), strengthening of police department (Rs. 1,692 crore) and strengthening of informati8on technology (Rs. 1,091 crore) were the other priorities listed out by the government.
Significantly, the memorandum pointed out that the migrant population to the State in the 2011 census stood at 61.88 lakh, including 37.14 lakh from the present day Andhra Pradesh and 24.73 lakh from other States. The total population of the State was 3.52 crore. The population may be taken into account for tax devolution and grants-in-aid.