The Telangana Rashtra Samithi has promised a farm loan waiver of up to ₹1 lakh, increase in the pension amount and unemployment pension of ₹3,016, among various other promises and assurances in its manifesto.
Releasing the manifesto, TRS supremo and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said the investment support of ₹8,000 per acre for agriculture to farmers under Rythu Bandhu will be increased to ₹10,000.
He said the TRS would fight to ensure 12 per cent reservation to STs and 12 per cent to the minorities. The retirement age of government employees will be raised to 61 from 58, while youths will be provided more job opportunities.
Promising to transform Hyderabad into a global city, the manifesto says the TRS will also seek to set up a steel factory at Bayyaram.
Speaking at a massive election rally at the Parade Grounds in Hyderabad days ahead of the State elections scheduled for December 7, Rao said everyone was part of the new State and that they should live like Telangana ‘biddalu’ (children); there was nothing to fear or worry about.
‘Vote with a calm mind’
Releasing the TRS manifesto, he said: “In any election people are the winners and not political parties. Don’t get confused by promises and assurances made by the Congress and the Telugu Desam who governed for years without ensuring development. Cast your vote with a calm mind.”
Referring to the state of the power sector he had inherited when he took over the reins after Telangana was formed, Rao said, “The industry faced power holidays and farmers and other consumers suffered silently. In the past four years, we have transformed the State into a power-surplus one with 24-hour supply to all consumers and free round-the-clock power to the farm sector.”
“This would not have been possible but for the hard work and focus on bringing about a transformation in the power sector. This only shows how the leaders in the past had neglected Telangana, he said.
Assistance for housing
Reiterating his focus on the housing sector, he promised that a financial assistance of ₹5-6 lakh would be extended to the poor with land for the construction of house.
Referring to the Congress, he said they have to rush to Delhi to take any major decision, and if people chose the TDP, they will have to seek clearance from Amaravati. Therefore, he called upon the people to elect the TRS to ensure continuity and for sustained development.
While seeking to strike a balance between welfare measures and development activities, Rao sought to highlight how the neglect by various political parties over the years had resulted in agitation for statehood and Telangana’s formation.
Assuring people from all parts of the country and particularly those from the Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, he said that there were non-Hyderabadis, including himself, who have settled here.
“There is nothing to be concerned about. Be a proud Hyderabadi,” he said.