Telangana: Stone or diamond?

BL03_HYDER3_OPED
Telangana is workable as a separate State. Even with a lower population (3.5 crore against the rest of Andhra Pradesh’s 4.9 crore), Telangana contributes a larger share to Andhra Pradesh revenues than the rest of Andhra Pradesh, while receiving a lower share of expenditures.
If we take annual averages for 2003-06, Telangana accounts for an annual revenue of about Rs 9900 crore, against approximately Rs 11,000 crore from the rest of AP. Telangana’s expenditure is about Rs 5,300 crore, against residual AP’s Rs 7,000 crore. Therefore, Telangana’s generates an annual revenue surplus of about Rs 4,600 crore, against rest of AP’s Rs 4,000 crore.
A balance of Rs 4,600 crore will usher in financial stability in the new State. The neglected development of the State can then be addressed. The first task in Telangana is restoration of its tank irrigation which has been allowed to collapse. The second is the cultivation of fallow unirrigated lands, where major efforts need to be made to introduce mechanisation of ploughings and orchard crops, requiring minimal irrigation.
The third effort is to link all Telangana villages through a robust rural road network to district headquarters. The fourth is to set up vocational training centres with hostel facilities at every district. The fifth item will take time but a complete mapping of each survey number of agricultural land, with its fertility and potential identified and advice and help given to farmers to increase their productivity and profitability. The sixth item is the development of market centres at the district level with banking and insurance facilities. Above all, there is a need to connect all villages to 24 hour electrical supply, as has been done in Gujarat and other States. These steps will initiate growth in Telangana and help meet the aspirations of the people.
There are two other main critical elements need careful handling. These involve the development of Singareni Collieries to increase coal production and to generate power based on pithead power plants. Singareni covers four districts of Telangana and its resources should be used to develop human resources and potential among the families of its workers as well as those who live in its area. It vast lands can be developed into orchards
Telangana industry needs only a few conditions - reliable and cheap power supply, minimal red tape and efficient and helpful regulation. Above all, Telangana should provide clean government and eliminate all corruption demand from State officials. If this is done, industrialists will flock to Telangana and exiting units will expand.
The last item is the healthy development of Hyderabad city and its hinterland. These will ensure that Telangana will become a more prosperous region.
(The author is former Director, Centre for Public Policy, ASCI, Hyderabad.)
Presence of nitrosaminesDiabetes drugs on FDA watchThe United States Food and Drug Administration has been ...
Safeguarding human health from climate change impacts is more urgent than ever, yet most countries are not ...
Mansukh MandaviyaUnion Minister of State for Shipping(Independent Charge); and Chemicals & Fertilisers ...
Both past research and new evidence point to the ill effects on populations
A safe bet for conservative investors, it is the cheapest among exchange-traded funds
Both the Nifty and the Sensex have begun to decline; investors should tread with caution
Tax rates governing the instruments can be quite diverse at all the three stages — at the time of investment, ...
For investors in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the September quarter results were a bit of a dampener.
The World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety — among the more prominent mental health ...
A documentary on The Savoy is reaping awards at international festivals
A Bengaluru entrepreneur revives a traditional cotton weave with a sheen that can beat silk
A new volume of essays examines the multidimensional impact of climate change on India, and why development ...
Kerala wants to be India’s creative hub where designers ideate, imagine and innovate for tomorrow
How Fujifilm has used its imaging strength to re-invent itself
Tech interventions are speeding a brand’s journey to the store
Storytelling meets consumer insights over a cup of coffee
With land and State resources in short supply, only higher education can challenge social hierarchies, says ...
Fee hike can hit students of low-income groups
The fees for the flagship Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Management at the Indian Institute of ...
Farmers, reeling under crop losses, feel the Centre’s crop insurance scheme is merely helping insurance firms ...
Please Email the Editor