KCR's first speech full of promises

Telangana's first Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhara Rao Monday promised a corruption-free and transparent government with its top priority to work for the welfare of the poor and weaker sections of society.

Addressing the main official function to mark the formation of Telangana state, he said the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government would be firm in dealing with political corruption.

In his maiden speech after taking oath as the chief minister of the new state, Rao said Telangana state had become a reality due to the sacrifices of the martyrs of 1969 and the participation of all sections of the society in the movement in recent years.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, promised to live up to people's expectations by working for their welfare and all-round development of the state.

The TRS chief said the non-violent movement for Telangana state would go down in the world's history as the biggest people's movements.

KCR said his party would fulfil all the promises made in its election manifesto. Lauding the role of the government employees in the movement, he announced a special increment for them.

He said the employees and pensioners would get the salaries on par with the central government staff. He also promised to amend service rules of the employees with their consultation and implement Pay Revision Commission (PRC) report. The chief minister also announced health cards for all employees.

KCR said the government would spend Rs.1 lakh crore over the next five years for the welfare of Dalits, minorities, tribals and backward classes.

"We will ensure that not even one rupee is misused. We will spend Rs.50,000 crore only for Dalits," he said.

He said the government would take up housing scheme for the weaker sections on a scale never seen in the country. Every poor houseless family will get a 125-yards house comprising two bed rooms, hall, kitchen and a toilet.

KCR told the gathering that he will keep the portfolios of scheduled cast, backward class, scheduled tribes and minorities welfare with himself.

He also announced that the government would constitute an advisory council comprising eminent intellectual and journalists.

"We will follow the guidelines to be given by the advisory council," he said.

Stating that agriculture would be a top priority for his government, KCR said the promise of waiver of farm loans of up to Rs.1 lakh would be implemented. The government will irrigate one lakh acre land in every assembly constituency.

Pointing out that Telangana contributes one third of pharma production and one third of poultry production in the country, KCR said he would give necessary incentives to further boost the two sectors.

He also assured all support to real estate sector. KCR announced that a single-window cell would be opened in the chief minister's office to grant all clearances to the industries.

Admitting that Telangana is facing electricity shortage, he promised to make it a power surplus state in three years.

KCR said he would maintain good relations with both the centre and the neighbouring states to solve people's problems.