(IANS) Telangana’s ruling party Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Monday announced several promises including free drinking water to woo the voters in Greater Hyderabad civic polls scheduled on December 1. Releasing the manifesto, party president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced that all households in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits will get free drinking water from December with a ceiling of 20,000 litres per month.
KCR said Hyderabad, which has 10 lakh domestic water connections, will become the second city in India after Delhi to provide free drinking water. “This move will benefit 97 percent of consumers in the city,” he said. The TRS chief said he spoke to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal about the implementation of the scheme. “The government of Delhi is providing Rs 200-300 crore subsidy for the scheme and we estimate it will be on similar lines in Hyderabad,” he said. KCR appealed to people to cooperate in ensuring that the water is not wasted. He said if the scheme is successfully implemented in Hyderabad, it will be subsequently extended to other municipalities. Referring to the successful implementation of the Mission Bhagiratha scheme, he said his dream is to ensure 24-hour drinking water.
The Chief Minister also announced free electricity to saloons run by Nayee Brahmin (barbers) community and to dhobi ghats and laundries of Rajaka (washermen) community across the state. TRS also promised relief for the sections which suffered losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For all commercial establishments and industries in HT and LT categories will be exempted from minimum demand charges from March to September.
KCR also announced a waiver of Motor Vehicle tax to the tune of Rs 267 crore for transport vehicles during the COVID-19 period (March to September). The waiver will cover two quarterly MV tax payable by over 3.37 lakh transport vehicle operators across the state. Dismissing the criticism by opposition parties of the TRS government’s handling of recent floods in Hyderabad, KCR said all the cities including Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Ahmedabad were underwater for several days due to floods.
Stating that the cloudburst last month led to floods in Hyderabad, KCR promised a master plan for flood control in the city. He said the government has already distributed Rs 656 crore as flood relief among 6.50 lakh affected families. KCR said since the Election Commission stopped the distribution of Rs 10,000 aid to every affected household, the government will resume the work after the GHMC polls. “We will not hesitate to spend another Rs 250-300 crore to ensure that every affected family gets the help,” he said.
TRS promised rejuvenation of the Musi River on the lines of the revival of rivers in France and London. He said the river which flows through the city and was completely destroyed by previous governments will be revived by linking it to the Godavari river. Hyderabad Metro Rail second phase including completion of the missing link to Hyderabad Airport, incentives for the development of satellite townships around Outer Ring Road (ORR), development of Regional Ring Road (RRR), elevated Bus Rapid Transit System (BRST) and checking vehicular pollution by encouraging electric vehicles are the other promises in the TRS manifesto.
KCR cautioned people against voting for the parties wanting to create divisions in the society and disturb the peace and law and order in the historic city known for its cosmopolitan culture and communal harmony.”Hyderabad is a secular with rich diversity. It is a melting pot. It embraces people from all regions and all cultures. It’s the most happening city.” Stating that peace and stability are prerequisites for development, KCR said Hyderabad attracted massive investments during the last seven years due to the peaceful atmosphere that prevailed in the city. “It’s in your hands to decide which Hyderabad you want. Do you want a city where all can live in peace and harmony or a city with anarchy and communal tensions,” he asked.
The TRS leader said it was due to the efforts of the TRS government during the last seven years that Hyderabad has not seen any communal disturbance of law and order problem. KCR also warned that vote for divisive and anarchist forces will drive away from the investors. “If such forces are elected, the Hyderabad market will collapse. The land prices will crash,” he said. KCR said the government through effective policing dealt with an iron hand the anti-social elements and ensured safety and security for women.
–IANS