Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), the first Chief Minister of the newly formed Telangana, vowed to develop it into a model state.
KCR, addressing a colourful function of Telangana Formation Day held at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad, stated that welfare and development would be the two driving forces of his government.
The Chief Minister stressed that Hyderabad would be transformed into a global city, and the city will get rid of all slum areas.
A state policy will be brought out to develop industries in the state. Investments will be attracted to the state, to develop the industrial sector, and jobs will be created for the unemployed, the CM said. Poultry and pharma sectors will get more sops in the state, he added.
Political corruption will be rooted out in the state, and the new state would maintain cordial relations with the Centre and neighbouring states, KCR pointed out.
KCR said Telangana people are expecting the state to be transformed into a progressive and development-oriented one, and promised a transparent administration in the state. To advise and guide the government, an advisory council - comprising editors and eminent people - will be set up.
As promised by Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) during the election campaign, ₹1 lakh crore will be spent by the government for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and minorities in the state. While spending funds for people's welfare, there would not be any scope for corruption, KCR asserted.
The new Chief Minister also promised farmers in Telangana that farm loans upto ₹1 lakh will be written off. Real estate business in the state will be regulated, KCR said.
All vacancies in the police department will be filled on war-footing basis. The new CM assured policemen in the state to have a weekly holiday.
Commemorating the formation of the new state, the CM announced special increments to the state employees. He promised pay scales on par with Union government employees.
A ₹1,000 monthly pension will be given to old age persons and widows in the new state. Disabled persons will get ₹1,500 and beedi workers ₹1,000 as pension, he added.
KCR promised to build 2-bedroom houses for the poor, and also irrigational projects from Krishna and Godavari rivers.
N Chandrababu Naidu Skips Function
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister-designate N Chandrababu Naidu skipped KCR's oath-taking ceremony. Naidu skipping the ceremony is seen as the continuation of the animosity between the two leaders.
Media reports say that Naidu was peeved that KCR did not invite him personally or at least through a phone call. The invitation to Naidu was just a routine one by the state administration.
KCR had worked with Naidu when the former was with TDP.
