More backward districts in Telangana now

Hyderabad: The number of backward districts has increased after the reorganisation of districts. Of the 31 districts, eight are classified as most backward and 18 are listed as having average development.

Apart from Hyderabad, the districts of Medchal, Ranga Reddy, Nizamabad and Sircilla Rajanna are well-placed in overall development.

According to a report prepared by the TS government, nine districts are in a very bad position as far as water and sanitation are concerned, and six are extremely backward when it comes to public health.

Before they were reorganised, nine districts were in the backward areas list. In the overall district development index formulated by the state government, Jogulamba is at the bottom with a 0.31 index value. According to the data, Jogulamba, Wanaparthy, Kumram Bheem, Nagarkurnool, Bhupalapally Jayashankar, Mahbubnagar, Adilabad and Warangal Rural were the most backward districts with values of below 0.39.

Karimnagar, Peddapally, Mancherial, Bhadradri, Siddipet, Sangareddy, Jagtial, Nirmal, Kamareddy, Medak, Khammam, Yadadri, Nalgonda, Mahbubabad, Jangaon, Vikarabad and Suryapet districts were in the average development category with below 0.5 to 0.4 index values.

Hyderabad followed by Medchal, Ranga Reddy, Nizamabad, Warangal Urban and Sircilla Rajanna districts are in a better position. Kamareddy, Adilabad, Kumaram Bheem and Jogulamba are at the bottom.

The report said that districts with less than 0.4 index value should be considered district that “need attention” and be focused on. The districts with 0.4-0.7 index value were considered as “need improvement” districts. Those with over 0.7 index value may be considered as “need consolidation” districts.

The report said that special emphasis should be given to underperforming districts in the government’s flagship programs like Mission Kakatiya and Haritha Haram.