Telangana projects top K Chandrasekhar Rao’s wish list

Hyderabad: The Centre has responded positively to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s requests for support to Telangana State, fulfillment of commitments made in AP Reorganisation Act, besides enhancing the FRBM limit from the present 3 per cent to 3.5 per cent for borrowing funds for mega projects like Mission Kakatiya, Water Grid, irrigation and other projects.

The TS government also sought Income Tax exemption for HMDA since the revenue accrued from this body was being pumped into infrastructure projects in the state.

Mr Rao met Union minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi on Tuesday, who promised to consider IT exemption for HMDA in the next Budget session of Parliament after consulting other States since a national policy has to be adopted for such a plea.

“Arun Jaitley responded positively to the CM’s request,” said S. Venugopala Chary, TS government’s special representative in New Delhi.

Mr Rao informed Union finance minister that the TS government has taken up Kakatiya Mission, an ambitious programme for revival of tanks, Water Grid, and irrigation projects in a big way and these needed huge financial assistance.

Taking a cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise to neighbouring AP at the Amaravati function, Mr Rao, along with top party leaders like Tummala Nageswara Rao, A.P. Jitender Reddy and B. Vinod Kumar, and Dr Venugopala Chary, met Mr Jaitley and Union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari and submitted a memorandum to them. They also reminded them of an earlier representation made to the Prime Minister on various pending issues of the state.

Mr Rao told Mr Jaitley that the borrowing limit for financial surplus states like TS and Gujarat should be enhanced.