In his last Independence Day speech before the five-year term of TRS government ends next year, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said that all sectors that had crashed in the combined Andhra Pradesh were revitalised in separate Telangana.
The Telangana State was a success story now, overcoming the “tragedy left by destruction of the past”. But it is not a smooth sailing. The conspiracies to project the State as a failure continue still. The malicious attempts to disrupt people’s unity are continuing too, Mr. Rao said after unfurling the national flag at Golconda Fort.
The colourful function was marked by over a thousand artistes staging performances reflecting the glorious tradition of the State. They stood atop the remains of the fort, overlooking the proceedings.
Rythu Bima launched
Mr. Rao launched the ambitious Rythu Bima programme of the State government, extending ₹5 lakh insurance to farmers, and government-subsidised bank loans of up to ₹80,000 for self-employment of backward classes.
He lamented that while the State government was working with the sole objective of development, some vested political interests were creating obstacles at every stage. But the government was forging ahead taking on the challenges in its stride. It observed caution to ensure that untoward consequences did not follow.
Mr. Rao took pride in the fact that the government had brought political stability to the State amid attempts to create disturbances on a daily basis. The government gave a clean administration devoid of political corruption. The economy was put back on rails. The average revenue growth of the State touched 17.12% in each of the four years. It took the top place in the development index of the country.
The government dispelled apprehensions on whether Telangana would survive as a separate State. It has emerged a role model for the country, he said. Reminding people that he had offered to become the target of their physical attack if he gave up the movement of separate Telangana, Mr. Rao said he was rededicating himself to build a golden future for the State with the same spirit.
The people were his aids in the journey and appealed to them to give him strength to carry on the success story.
Mr. Rao listed out all the achievements of the government, including creation of irrigation for 12 lakh acres. He said the Centre had expressed willingness to concede the new zonal system in the State in public employment and education by amending the Presidential Order.
