The 14th Finance Commission assured the Telangana government that it would discuss the issues raised by the CM and the different secretaries on Friday.
Dr Y V Reddy, Chairman of the 14th Finance Commission, assured the Telangana government that the Commission would discuss in detail the issues raised by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and in presentations made by different departmental secretaries in front of the Commission on Friday.
The Chairman said that the Commission would take forward these proposals and discuss them next Monday itself.
He also said that the package that would ultimately be given to Telangana should be desirable, feasible and realistic in the Indian context and the context of the State.
Dr Reddy responded to the Chief Minister's speech and the presentations made by the different secretaries to the Government, to the 14th Finance Commission this morning, in a meeting held at Hotel ITC Kakatiya.
He placed on record his deep appreciation of the competence, integrity and commitment of the Telangana government, the Chief Minister and the officers.
The Chairman stated that the Commission would do its best and would be fair to Telangana, and would consider positively all the unique challenges faced by the State.
The Chairman mentioned that the meeting with the Chief Minister and the officers helped sensitize him and other members of the Commission.
Dr Y V Reddy made a specific mentions about "Our Village Our Plan", "Telangana Water Grid", "Tanks In Telangana", "Haritha Haram", "Hyderabad Capital Reforms", "Power Deficiency" etc.
He particularly mentioned the Chief Minister's speech, quoting parts where the latter highlighted all the major challenges involved in fulfilling the aspirations of the people, reinventing and reorienting the State, and resource mobilization for the State.
He also mentioned the Chief Minister's observations on issues involving the SCs, STs and Backward Classes, as well as the various initiatives taken by the State government.
He also mentioned the importance of the Intensive Household survey.
Dr Reddy said that the Chief Minister had made strong arguments in favour of many requirements of the State, and the need for resource mobilisation.
Prof Abhuit Sen, Dr M Govind Rao, Sushma Nath, Sudeep Monde and A M Jha, members of the Finance Commission, also responded to the presentations and speech of the Chief Minister.
They mentioned that water was going to be a big challenge in future for Telangana.
They complimented the Intensive Survey and the aspirational presentations made in the meeting. Some of them said the presentations were mainly development-focused.
Sushma Nath said that the Chief Minister had delivered an excellent keynote address wherein a genuine concern about resources for the state was shown.
She said that the Commission was fully conscious of the State's requirement and resources.
Sudeep Monde appreciated the financial projections, and enquired about any unresolved issues between the two States that may have an effect on the finances.
He said that he really enjoyed the presentation on the Water Tanks and Water Grid. (INN)