Claims of achievements and hiccups in administration aside, several development and welfare scheme initiatives mark the first 100 days of the TRS government in Telangana State with some of them leading to controversies and some others attracting large-scale criticism.
Main feature of the government in the first three months has been its zeal to create a sense of belonging among people that it is their own (mana) government with every step focused at leaving an impression of being Telangana. Irrespective of opposition parties’ opposition and criticism, the government has proved a point or two by successfully conducting the intensive household survey of about 1.06 crore households across the State in one day on August 19.
The much-publicised survey’s utility would be known in the coming weeks and months as the government has been repeatedly claiming that the database would be utilised to assess the needs of people and streamline the implementation of welfare schemes by minimising the leakages and non-plan expenditure. Compilation of information gathered in the survey is expected to be completed by September 15.
As part of fulfilling poll promises, the government is in the process of working out the implementation of farm loan waiver scheme with revenue and banking officials engaged in cross-verifying beneficiaries’ lists for duplication.
“The task of finalising the total benefit and number of beneficiaries will be completed by the week-end and loan waiver amount could be about Rs. 17,000 crore and beneficiaries around 40 lakh”, a senior government official involved in the process said.
By releasing Rs. 470 crore towards input subsidy payment to the farmers who suffered heavy crop damage in the previous years due to heavy rains and hailstorms, the government has tried to pacify at least a section of the farming community who have been restive about loan waiver.
Launching distribution of three acres land each to landless Dalit families, announcing regularisation of services of about 40,000 contract employees and Rs. 10 lakh each ex gratia payment to martyrs who gave up their lives for the cause of Telangana State between 1969 and 2014 have been part of the government attempts to address different sections.
In its bid to attract investments to serve the twin purpose of providing employment opportunities to youth and generating revenue to the exchequer, the government has been vigorously pursuing a new industrial policy with unique features.
As part of the endeavour, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had meetings with over two-dozen major corporate houses and visited Singapore. He also announced sops to the realty sector by waiving VAT and NALA cess.
In social sector, the government is planning to implement enhanced monthly social security pensions of Rs. 1,500 each from October, announced 12 per cent reservation to Muslims and 3 per cent to Christians and Rs. 51,000 financial assistance for marriage of girls from poor families of Dalit, tribal and minority communities.
