Telangana starts village growth scheme

Panchayat raj and IT minister K.T. Rama Rao, launched the programme and unveiled a pylon along with irrigation minister T. Harish Rao, agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Deputy Speaker Padma Devender Reddy at Kowdipally village in Naraspur Mandal of Medak district.

“Our goal is to make Telangana the No. 1 state in the country. We will ensure 24-hour power by next summer and water to every home in the next three years besides improving the incomes of people, especially the poor. We will release Rs 172 crore dues to SHGs,” he said.

Mr Rama Rao said the government would try to integrate Palle Pragathi and Grama Jyothi, to ensure effective development of people and rural areas.

Mr Harish Rao also launched a scathing attack on the Congress and TD for trying to obstruct every programme of the government.

Palle Pragathi aims to improve economic and human development indicators, enhance agricultural income and secure increased access to human development services and social entitlements covering small and marginal farmers, SCs, STs and other poor households in 150 most backward mandals in the state through World Bank assistance.

The total project cost is estimated at US $ 107 million (Rs 642 crore), of which the government share would be US $ 32 million (Rs 192 crore) in five years. The remaining US $ 75 million would come in the form of an IDA Credit (World Bank).

The project aims to increase the income of 250,000 small and marginal farmers by at least 50 percent through productivity enhancement and improved market access, strengthen existing public systems like ICDS, health, sanitation etc, deliver quality services, address last mile service delivery issues, establish technology-enabled ‘One Stop Shops’ (Palle Samagra Seva Kendralu), enabling a platform for innovation and transformation in delivering good quality last-mile services among others.