With Telangana's flagship Haritha Haram program in full swing across the State and about 12 crore saplings planted so far against the target of 46 crores, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao is planning to pay surprise visits to the districts in the State from Monday to inspect the drive and check the conditions of the saplings planted.
At a review meet in his camp office, the CM said that the participation of and coordination among the ministers, MLAs and officials would impact the outcome of the green drive, and asked them to avoid making excuses for negligence.
He specifically directed the ministers to stay put in the districts to implement plans to protect saplings, and send daily reports to Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma.
The fire departments and water supply services would be made responsible for the protection of saplings from hazards at the constituency, division, municipality and village panchayat levels, he said.
He also said that the government was assessing its officials' efficiency in the drive. The aim of the Haritha Haram program was to transform the State into a green corridor, and that needed the involvement of every government servant, he noted.
He said that an additional Rs. 1,500 crores was ready for deeper implementation of the drive.
The people and farmers of Telangana would be happy to see increased rainfall resulting from the initiative, he said.
"The goal to expand green cover of the state to 33% from 24% will soon be realized," he added. "Let us not stop until the last sapling is planted and the target is reached."