How do you rate your government’s performance in the last six months?
I spent four months in planning various projects. My opponents might be critical, but I have a plan for everything. People would ultimately judge whether the Government is efficient or not. I have to be realistic and sincere. People will realise this when they see results shortly.
What plans do you have for improving the power situation?
We are now getting around 4,200 MW of power from various sources. The situation will ease by the end of 2015 positively. AP is poised to generate some 3,240 MW from Krishnapatnam, Hinduja and RTPP-3 projects and Telangana will get a share of 56 per cent in that. Similarly, Telangana will add some 1,800 MW in which AP will get 46 per cent share.
If everything goes as per the AP Reorganisation Act, we will get some 2, 720 MW from AP. Assuming that AP will not part with the Telagnana share, we will stop giving power to AP from Telangana stations. That means, Telangana will have 1,800 MW plus another 4,00 MW from Central Generation Stations and 300 MW from solar stations. That’s 2,500 MW of power available by the end of 2015. That will see us through 2015. Later, by 2016 power from Chhattisgarh would also be available and our plans for adding another 4,000 MW would also fructify as BHEL would supply the equipment we ordered.
That’s the time we become power sufficient.
What is the position of the mega scheme - water grid?
The survey itself costs some Rs 105 crore. The motors and pumps have to be custom-built and all these works would have to be taken up only during the non-rainy season.
You promised to develop Karimnagar and Hyderabad like New York and London? Is anything happening?
We sanctioned ring roads around all district headquarters. Master plans are being prepared. It’s not just a hollow promise. It will be done. We are emphasising on maintaining quality of our works. For example, bitumen imported from Dubai can be used for roads, but it lasts only six months.
HPCL bitumen also lasts for six months so we are getting it from HPCL.
People have apprehensions that they would not get pension cards?
There is no need for this. We are giving more cards and more money too. We have raised the income limit eligibility and that means more people will be covered. All these cards will be given by December 15 and I can promise that New Year will be happy for all.
What plans for Hyderabad?
We have decided to give pattas free of cost to all those who are having 100 yards of land. This will be a major programme and only after giving the ownership, we will take up the slum-free Hyderabad programme.
My policy is to have clarity on programmes. “Don’t confuse and don’t get confused. Be realistic and sincere, people will realise this”.