Telangana had made progress on all fronts despite facing several challenges, E S L Narasimhan said addressing the joint session of the Assembly and Council.
Governor E S L Narasimhan stated that Telangana had made considerable progress on all fronts despite facing several challenges like inadequate staff and non-availability of senior officers.
"The GSDP growth forecast for fiscal 2014-15 is estimated at 5.3% as against the growth rate of 4.8% in 2013-14 at constant (2004-05) prices. The growth shows an encouraging trend in the new state. Despite a decline in the agricultural growth due to adverse monsoon, other allied sectors like livestock, forestry and fisheries have registered a good growth rate," said Narasimhan while addressing the joint session of the Telangana Assembly and Council on Saturday.
The Governor said that the growth momentum in the industrial (4.1%) and service (9.7%) sectors had made a major contribution to the increase in the overall GSDP growth. The per capita income at current prices during 2014-15 was expected to be Rs. 1,03,889, as compared to Rs 95,361 during 2013-14.
"My government has laid particular emphasis on the welfare of the SCs, STs, BCs, minorities and the poor, as well as on inclusive development of all the sections of the society," the Governor said while listing out the major steps taken in this direction.
Recognition of the Kaithi Lambadas and Valmiki Boyas as STs, and reconstitution of Lambada Thandas and Adivasigudems as Gram Panchayats were in progress. Similarly, efforts were on establish a tribal university, he said.
The Governor reiterated that the government would provide three acres of arable land to each landless poor Dalit family, and would spend Rs 50,000 crores for the welfare of SCs over the next five years. STs would be provided 12% reservation in jobs and education, while Rs 4,400 crores would be spent as per the ST Sub-Plan. The government would also spend Rs 25,000 crores on BC welfare and Rs 1,000 crores on minorities welfare.
He also claimed that deserving beneficiaries were being provided monthly pension under the "Aasara" scheme. He also mentioned the implementation of the Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak schemes, which provided a Rs 51,000 grant to poor girls at the time of their marriages.
Narasimhan also listed out steps being taken to implement the housing schemes and improve the education standards, employee-friendly measures, and ensure the welfare of journalists, lawyers and women.
"In order to make Hyderabad a safe city and an attractive investment destination, law and order has been given top priority by my government. There would be constant alertness with a network of CC cameras and other advanced gadgets covering the entire urban agglomeration," he said.
"My government is taking up number of initiatives to transform Hyderabad Metropolis into a global hub. Considering the strategic location of Hyderabad in our federation, its potential to become a global destination will soon be realised," the Governor added.
The Governor also claimed that the state government was committed to overcoming the shortage of power in the state and provide quality and realiable power to all categories of consumers.
"Necessary steps have been taken to bridge the deficit by way of short-term, medium-term and long-term procurements, new capacity additions, and purchase of power from the neighbouring states and from the central pool. It is proposed to add 6,000 MW over the next three years to make the state self-sufficient," he said. (INN)