Chief Economic Advisor for GOI praises TS land records initiative

Telangana |  Suryaa Desk  | Published : Tue, Feb 20, 2018, 12:18 PM

Hyderabad: The Land Records Updation Programme of the Telangana State government was on Monday described as the ‘heart of good governance’ by Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, Arvind Subramanian. He also said the programme should be “taken up as a case study by the world-famous Harvard University.”

Subramanian’s comments came at his meeting with Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao at Pragati Bhavan here. Subramanian said that details of the ‘KCR Kits’ programme which was being successfully implemented in TS should be briefed to the Union government and called the programme as one that “should become a learning point for other States as well as the whole country.” Upon his request, the Chief Minister showed him one of the kits and explained in detail about the scheme.

Subramanian further said the Farmers Investment Support Scheme as part of which the State government is set to provide Rs 4,000 per acre to each land-holding farmer twice a year, should be adopted across the country. The FISS programme is scheduled for a formal launch on April 20 and Subramanian said he would be honoured to be present at the launch ceremony.

Subramanian, who is on a visit to the city, called on the Chief Minister who hosted a lunch for the visiting official. The lunch was followed by a two-and-a-half hour meeting which was attended by Finance Minister Etela Rajender, Chief Advisor to Government Rajiv Sharma, Advisor G R Reddy, Chief Secretary S K Joshi, DGP Mahender Reddy, MP Balka Suman, MLC and Government Whip Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, CMO Principal Secretaries S Narsing Rao and Shanti Kumari, Principal Secretary Finance Ramakrishna Rao and others.

Chandrasekhar Rao, during the discussions, brought to Subramanian’s notice that disincentivizing a growing State by the Centre was not a wise move. The growth of a growing state, he said, implies growth of the nation. States should be allowed to take a larger role and there can be a case study on this to arrive at a decision on this matter, he said.

He also said that the Centre should push States forward and give them more liberty so that the country will benefit as a whole. Subjects such as agriculture and rural development can be fully transferred to States as each State had different requirements on these fronts. Local bodies too need to be strengthened, he said.

Briefing Subramanian about the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project and its components including reservoirs, barrages and pump houses, he said nearly 2,600 workers were working round-the-clock in three shifts to complete the project as per schedule. Kaleshwaram, along with Palamuru Lift Irrigation Scheme and Sitarama project were meticulously designed and once these were completed, TS farmers would be able to grow two crops a year with the possibility of even a third crop. Agriculture production, with irrigation from these projects, will almost be equal to the State budget and will be to the tune of Rs 1,25,000 crore, the Chief Minster said.

Chandrashekhar Rao said the previous governments had never bothered about agriculture and allied sectors like sheep rearing, poultry, and fisheries. TS was also taking steps now to overcome the weakness of an unorganised farm sector with the formation of Farmers’ Coordination Committees whose regional conferences are to be held in Hyderabad and Karimnagar on February 25 and 26.

He further said the country needs to be split into crop colonies based on agro-climatic conditions in different regions and pointed out that TS was already implementing this idea.

Subramanian was briefed in detail about the Sheep Distribution Scheme as part of which 30 lakh families are set to gain benefits. As many as 50 lakh sheep have already been distributed which have given birth to nearly 18 lakh lambs so far. The goal is to eliminate the need to import 650 lorries of sheep to meet local needs and also begin exporting meat.

On the FISS programme, the Chief Minister said it was designed to get the farming community out of distress. He also briefed about the land records updation programme, the Dharani project for computerisation of records as also distribution of pattaadar pass books which will begin on March 11. The Chief Minister said there was a need to release CAMPA funds collected from the States by the Centre back to them. Subramanian also saw a power point presentation on TS’ initiatives and achievements during the last 44 months. The DGP made a presentation on public safety in the State.








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