Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has announced the government’s resolve to continue releasing ₹ 339 crore every month for taking up developmental programmes and strengthening the infrastructure at the village-level.
The Chief Minister expressed happiness over the overwhelming success of the 30-day special action plan, Palle Pragati, launched for improving the conditions in villages. The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of work launched under the 30-day action plan and appreciated the officials concerned, including the Collectors, for contributing to the success of the programme.
The Collectors and senior officials explained their experiences in the conduct of the programme and said the collective efforts taken up by the departments concerned ensured the success of the programme.
Pending issues
They briefed the senior officials about the special conditions in their respective districts and the planning that was made to resolve the pending issues as part of the month-long programme. Mr. Rao was particularly appreciative of the power utilities for their work in improving the power supply related issues during the month-long programme claiming that the department stood ahead of all others in terms of their performance. The power week conducted by the department for on the spot redressal of the grievances and improving services received widespread accolades from people. The Chief Minister said, inspired by the success of the Palle Pragati, which envisaged active participation of the people as well as the departments concerned for improving the conditions in their respective areas, the government plans to conduct similar programmes in future too. As part of efforts to strengthen the administration at the grass root level, the government had taken steps to fill vacant posts at various levels.
The government at the same time is firm on ensuring that there is no shortage of funds for taking up developmental programmes at the village-level. The government had decided to continue release of ₹ 339 crore a month to villages and this is over and above the revenue generated by the villages at their level. The Chief Minister announced release of ₹ 2 crore each for the 32 districts, except Hyderabad, and the Collectors can use their discretionary powers in utilising this funds for continuing the tempo and completing the ongoing work in these areas. He stressed the need for the district panchayat officers to play a pro-active role in planning the development of the villages, and work should be taken up in such a way that they meet the targets prescribed under the annual and five-year plans, he said.
The government prepared plans relating to work that should be taken up annually as well as those relating to the longer term of five years and the government prepared a green plan for enhancing the green cover in these villages. The Palle Pragati helped the government in identifying the locations for burial/cremation grounds, dump yards and nurseries in a majority of the villages and efforts should be made to ensure that the remaining villages are covered at the earliest, Mr. Rao said.
Ban on sale of plastics
The Chief Minister was particular that steps should be initiated to check the use of plastic as it is turning out to be a environmental hazard. As a first step, the government had decided to ban sale of plastic goods in the State and orders to this effect would be issued after the State Cabinet ratifies the decision, he said, directing officials concerned to prepare comprehensive guidelines in this direction.
