A colourful Independence Day celebrations by Telangana government inside the historic Golconda fort saw the Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao launching a tirade against “evil forces” for spreading a disinformation campaign about the intensive household survey in the State on Tuesday.
Mr. Rao was accorded a rousing reception when he arrived at the fort. After the customary guard of honour at the entrance, he was driven in his Toyota Prado by horse borne outriders on the bumpy stretch of stones up to the rostrum.
In his 25 minute speech from a makeshift rostrum after unfurling the national flag, Mr. Rao listed out several achievements of his government in the last two months, including the flagship programme of debt waiver to farmers which cost Rs. 18,000 crore to the exchequer.
The household survey was not intended to cause any inconvenience but a sincere effort to extend the benefits of government to the needy. It was being done in the absence of real statistics, Mr. Rao said.
He criticised the indifference of the previous governments to drought and natural calamities in Telangana in the last five years and announced distribution of input subsidy to farmers in all districts from Friday.
He launched the prestigious land distribution programme for poor Scheduled Caste families by distributing pattas to women from all the districts. He also gave away cheques to the two teenaged conquerors of Mount Everest – Malavath Poorna and S. Anand – and medal winners in the recent Commonwealth games. He announced measures to enhance the brand image of Hyderabad and creation of a land bank of 35 lakh acres for industrial development.
After his speech, cultural artistes in their colourful attire blew conches and beat drums standing on the ruins of the fort. The students of National Green Corps who were dressed in national colours released balloons into the air. The lawns opposite Rani Mahal where the function was held bustled with the crowd. Mr. Rao’s car was mobbed by people when he left.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by N. Rahul / Hyderabad – August 15th, 2014