Telangana allocates Rs 2,500-Cr for temple development : Dy CM Bhatti
Khammam, Oct 18 (TNT): Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday said the state government had earmarked Rs 2,500 crore for temple development across the state, including Rs 276 crore for Bhadrachalam Temple and Rs 354 crore for the Sri Gnana Saraswati Temple at Basara.
Speaking after offering prayers at the Adbhutha Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Nacharam village in Enkoor mandal of Khammam district, the Deputy Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a road project worth Rs 44 crore to improve connectivity to the temple.
The proposed road would facilitate the movement of devotees and promote local business and employment opportunities, he said, adding that the funds had been sanctioned following the efforts of local MLA Malothu Ramdas Naik.
In view of the upcoming Godavari Pushkarams, the government was spending Rs 2,000 crore on the development of riverfront areas and temples along the Godavari, Bhatti Vikramarka said.
Welfare and development priorities
The Deputy Chief Minister said the government was according priority to public welfare and the well-being of every family.
He cited various initiatives, including the distribution of fine rice to 1.06 crore families, free medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh per family under Rajiv Aarogyasri, Rythu Bharosa assistance to 71 lakh farmers and free electricity up to 200 units for 53 lakh families.
The government was also providing interest-free loans to women, social security pensions to eligible beneficiaries and free bus travel for women, he said.
Under the Indiramma Housing Scheme, financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh was being provided for each house, with more than eight lakh houses being taken up across the state, he added.
Focus on education and infrastructure
Bhatti Vikramarka said the government was implementing a breakfast scheme for 27 lakh students in government schools. Diet charges in residential schools had been increased by 40 per cent and cosmetic charges by 200 per cent.
Young India Integrated Residential Schools were being established in every Assembly constituency at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore per school.
A school had also been sanctioned for Wyra constituency, while an Advanced Technology Centre had been allocated to the region, he said.
The government was undertaking road infrastructure development works worth approximately Rs 90,000 crore across Telangana, he added.
Despite electricity demand exceeding 20,000 MW, measures were being taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply, the Deputy Chief Minister said.
He noted that the state had inherited a debt burden of approximately Rs 8.20 lakh crore accumulated over the previous decade, requiring around Rs 6,600 crore every month towards repayment of principal and interest. Despite the financial commitments, the government was continuing welfare schemes alongside development projects, he said.
Appeal for water conservation
Warning that the El Niño effect could lead to reduced rainfall and water scarcity, Bhatti Vikramarka urged people to conserve water and use it judiciously.
He called for measures to safeguard drinking water supplies and ensure adequate water for livestock and birds. Farmers should monitor groundwater levels and use agricultural pumps judiciously, he said.
Officials had been instructed to conduct village-level awareness programmes on water conservation, while scientists and agricultural experts should explain the prevailing conditions and provide guidance to the public, he added.
Another BT road promised for Wyra
The Deputy Chief Minister assured that another bitumen-topped road would be sanctioned from Nacharam village via Julurupadu to connect with the Tallada–Bhadrachalam main road. The proposed road would benefit Gannavaram, Nacharam and Bhadrathanda areas.
The programme was attended by MLA Malothu Ramdas Naik, SUDA Chairman Puvalla Durga Prasad, former MLC Potla Nageswara Rao, DCC president Nuthi Satyanarayana and other dignitaries.
