Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday said that certain vested interests had launched a disinformation campaign against the intensive household survey in Telangana on August 19 to spread fear among people though the programme was not aimed at inconveniencing anyone.
Speaking after hoisting the national flag at the Independence Day celebrations of Telangana government at Golconda fort here, Mr. Rao said the survey was meant to collect accurate data for extension of pilferage-free benefits to the needy. Experience in the past had shown that weaker sections housing and distribution of ration cards and pensions had corrupt overtones in the absence of such data.
This was the first time that the Independence Day fete was held outside Parade Grounds in Secunderabad which was the venue for several decades. Nevertheless, Mr. Rao visited Parade Grounds before going to Golconda to pay homage to the martyrs memorial of Indian Army. He defended the decision to host the event in the fort as it was a proud reflection of Telangana culture and home to conceptualisation of Hyderabad.
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In his 25-minute speech from the rostrum next to Taramati mosque, Mr. Rao listed out several achievements of TRS government like regularising the services of contract employees and loan waiver for 40 lakh farmers which put a burden of Rs 18,000 crore on the government. The Telangana Public Service Commission which would start functioning shortly would provide 50,000 jobs, he said.
He announced the setting up of separate committees headed by retired High Court judges to study extension of 12 per cent reservation each to Scheduled Tribes and minorities. The government was taking legal opinion on empowering wakf board with judicial powers to protect wakf properties. The managements of churches need not take permission of Collectors for constructions on the premises. They could straightaway take clearances from gram panchayats.
As part of assisting the farm sector, Mr. Rao said the government had waived dues of Rs. 76 crore on motor vehicle tax on tractors and sanctioned Rs. 11 crore to clear the outstandings of lakhs of sorghum farmers in Nizamabad who were on an agitational path. The cheques for the latter were distributed in Nizamabad on Friday. The previous governments were indifferent to the plight of farmers hit by natural calamities but the TRS had released input subsidy to them to the extent of Rs. 482 crore.
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Mr. Rao also discussed the commitment of his government to employees and sportspersons. A comprehensive sports policy would be formulated soon, he added.