The State government’s land record updation programme has received appreciation from none less than noted economist and Chief Economic Adviser to the Central Government, Arvind Subramanian.
Mr. Subramanian, who was briefed about the programme by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, is said to have termed the programme as the “heart of good governance” which could be taken up as case study by the Harvard University.
The Chief Economic Advisor, who was here on Monday, met the Chief Minister at his camp office. The Chief Minister hosted lunch for the visiting dignitary at his residence. He was equally impressed by the KCR Kits programme being successfully implemented in the State. He wanted the State to brief the Central Government about the scheme so that it could become a learning point for the Centre and other States as well.
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Reducing mortality rates
Mr. Subramanian was particularly keen to know about the finer details of the programme when the Chief Minister told him that it is basically aimed at reducing IMR and MMR in addition to preventing pregnant women from going to work and save their wage loss.
Mr. Subramanian heaped lavish praises on the proposed farmers input support scheme aimed at distributing ₹8,000 each to farmers as assistance for cropping and wanted the launch of the scheme on April 20 to be a nationwide event. He said he would be honoured to be present in the State on the launch day.
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The Chief Minister, however, lamented that growing State like Telangana is being disincentivised and wanted more role to States in sustaining the growth momentum of the country. States should be given more liberty in taking decisions so that the country as a whole could be benefited by it. For instance, the Centre could consider transfer of subjects like agriculture and rural development totally to the States as the requirements vary from State to State.
Irrigation projects
The Chief Minister briefed Mr. Subramanian about the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project and explained the salient features of the project using Google maps.
Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme along with Palamur and Sitarama projects were seen as lifeline for Telangana providing farmers enough water to opt for at least two crops a year.
The agriculture production would match the budget outlay once the projects are completed and the government had also addressed the issue of unorganised sector through formation of farmers coordination committees in addition to focussing on allied sectors like poultry and fisheries.
The State is also concentrating on promotion of crop colonies as this is the only way to achieve accelerated growth in the sector.
Mr. Rao said given the distress that farmers are facing, his government conceived the investment support scheme for them while the government launched the land record updation programme with a view to ensure transparency in land deals.