Rs 51,000 cr needed for panchayat raj, rural development: Seethakka
Hyderabad: Panchayat raj has sought more than doubling of its annual budget this year to `51,000 crore, from `23,000 crore last year during the previous BRS government’s rule.
The request was discussed at a pre-budget meeting at the Secretariat attended by senior officials of the finance and PR&RD and chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and finance minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and minister Danasari Anasuya ‘Seethakka’.
The Cheyutha scheme providing up to `10 lakh for medicare for economically backward families would require around `22,000 crore, and `12,000 crore for Aasara welfare pensions. Seethakka urged the finance minister to ensure adequate funds are provided for loans to women’s self-help groups.
Bhatti called on PR&RD officials to focus on employment creation in rural areas, and work on setting up skill development centres in the headquarters of the erstwhile ten unified districts in the state. The government is planning to set up Ambedkar knowledge centres in all constituencies to provide facilities for preparation for competitive exams, and that these centres will be ready in four months.
Bhatti and Seethakka who reviewed the working of Telangana Drinking Water Supply Corporation Limited and the Mission Bhagiratha drinking water scheme, sought a comprehensive report on the scheme by July 15, and circulation of copies to all MLAs. Though `30,000 crore was borrowed for the scheme, there was failure to generate any revenue as originally declared by the previous government. This resulted in loan repayment burden on the administration, Bhatti said.
