No Political Objectives In Establishment Of HYDRAA: CM

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy today said that there was no political objective in the establishment of HYDRAA, and that the task of removing encroachments in lakes and other water bodies has been taken up to protect nature on a mission mode.

Addressing the Praja Palana Dinotsavam program after hoisting the national flag at Public Gardens, the CM said that apart from economic and cultural renaissance, the revival of the environment was also the need of the hour, and that that was the reason that the government constituted HYDRAA.

"The city of Hyderabad is popularly known as lake city. Unfortunately, today the city has turned into a city of floods because of the sins committed by the previous rulers. HYDRAA has been set up to demolish encroachments in the lakes and other water bodies. Future generations will have to pay a heavy price if the lakes, ponds and canals are not protected. Kerala witnessed nature's fury in recent times. Thousands of people succumbed. That situation should not arise in Hyderabad," Reddy said.

Claiming that some land mafias were trying to undermine HYDRAA by saying that the poor people's issues should come first, the CM said that HYDRAA would not be stopped no matter how many obstacles came its way, and that it guaranteed the future of Hyderabad. He asked the people to extend their cooperation to this endeavour of the State government.

Speaking about the day (September 17), the CM said, "September 17 is the most significant day in the history of Telangana. There are differences of opinion on defining this auspicious day. Some are calling it Merger Day and some Liberation Day. After deep thought, the State government has decided to celebrate it as Praja Palana Dinotsavam," he said.

Speaking then about the State's economy, he said that it was ruined by debt of Rs 7 lakh crore taken in the last 10 years, and that the government was paying Rs 6,000 crore to clear debt and interest on loans every month.

"As promised, we have taken it as a challenge to implement the six guarantees and also put the economy on track. The government has been trying its best to improve the financial situation through debt restructuring, and has plugged leakages in revenue generation. Moreover, it is trying hard to get all the possible Central funds," Reddy said.

Responding to the criticism that he was visiting New Delhi many times, the CM said that he was not a farmhouse Chief Minister to stay at home without moving out, and that he was working hard.

"I am not going to Delhi for my selfish reasons or my personal work. Moreover, Delhi is not in Pakistan or Bangladesh. It is a federal system and there are many issues between the States and the Centre. States have been paying thousand crores of rupees in the form of taxes to the Centre. It is our right to seek the State's share from the taxes. I will go to Delhi many times in the future also to claim Telangana's share. The State government also made strong arguments before the 16th Finance Commission, demanding that 50% of the Central taxes should be given to the States," Reddy said.