HYDERABAD:Appreciating the state government’s initiative of providing Rs 4,000 per acre as investment support scheme, Union government Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian said he would be present at the launch of the scheme on April 20, when the state will formally launch the cheque distribution to farmers.
Not just the Rs 4,000 per acre scheme, the CEA lauded various innovative initiatives of the state government. Subramanian had a luncheon meeting with Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday. In his recent visit to Delhi, Rao invited Subramanian for lunch. Obliging the invite, Subramanian on Monday visited Pragathi Bhavan.
The Chief Economic Advisor described purification of land records as the “heart of good governance” and it should be studied by the Harvard University. “Subramanian suggested that the details of KCR Kits programme and success should be briefed to the Central government. The CEA stated that all the States, for that matter, the entire country, should learn about KCR Kits programme,’’ a CMO release said.
Appreciating the investment support scheme to farmers, Subramanian, who held deliberations for nearly two-and-half hours with Rao, said the scheme should be made as a nation-wide event. “I will be honoured to be present in the State on April 20, when the State will formally launch the cheque distribution to farmers,’’ he said.
The CM started the discussion with the benefits of construction of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) using Google maps. “Once, KLIS, Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation and Sitarama projects were completed, Telangana farmers will be able to raise two crops and an intelligent farmer might grow three crops also,” Rao told Subramanian.
Encourage performing States: KCR
During the meeting, Rao brought to the notice of Subramanian that disincentivising a growing State like Telangana by the Central government was not a wise thing. He said that the growth of any State means growth of the nation.He said states should be allowed to take more role and said that there could be a case study on this to arrive at a decision. He said Government of India should push the States forward and should give more liberty to states so that nation benefits. Rao also expressed the view that subjects like agriculture, rural development could be totally transferred to states since the state’s requirement varies from state to state. Rao suggested the CEA that the local bodies were to be strengthened and these institutions were made to work.
Referring to CAMPA funds, Chandrasekhar Rao said these were to be rolled back to the respective states as per their entitlement for green cover development. A power point presentation was also made to Subramanian on Telangana State Initiatives and achievements during the last 44 months. It is mentioned that the Vision of the state was to make it a Bangaru Telangana.
When Rao explained about KCT Kit scheme saying that it was basically to reduce IMR and MMR as well as prevent pregnant women from going to work and as a gap-bridging activity to save their wage loss, Subramanian evinced keen interest and wanted to have a look at the kit. Rao had not only shown as desired by him but also explained in detail about the scheme.