Hyderabad: Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan has claimed that Telangana State has become a success story and it is playing an active and pivotal role in nation building.

"The past four and half years have provided a brilliant and wonderful start to the road to progress. The first government formed under the leadership of K. Chandrasekhar Rao has taken the reconstruction process in all the sectors in a big and innovative way. While giving a strong leadership on one side, it has also provided political stability in the State. It helped the state to make rapid strides in development and to achieve all-round success. Telangana State government has won accolades from all sections of people for its maintenance of peace and harmony. The state having overcome the initial hurdles and hiccups has achieved many a success in several sectors," the Governor said while addressing the 70th Republic Day celebrations at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad on Saturday.

The Governor claimed that the schemes implemented by the State Government have won people's hearts and that was the reason why KCR was able to win for the second term. "The State government which has returned to office for the second time, will rededicate itself to the all round development of the Telangana State and its people," he said.

Stating that a whopping Rs. 40,000 crore were being spent o welfare programmes annually, the Governor described Telangana State's governance as the “Golden Era” for welfare. "No other State in the country and even the Centre has allocated such huge funds for welfare as Telangana State has," he said.

Narasimhan informed that the State Government was reducing the age limit for old age pension to 57 years to fulfill an electoral promise. He said irrigation projects were being constructed to supply water to 1.25 Crore acres across the State to help the farmers. "Despite the hurdles created by some vested interests, anti-people sections, the government has overcome all of them with iron will. The government has found solutions to the inter-state disputes and arrived at amicable solutions to the water disputes. The government has obtained all the permissions, NOCs from the Centre, Forest department, Environment ministry, several other organisations, agencies concerned. The construction of these massive irrigation projects is taking place at a rapid pace," he said.

The Governor said efforts were being made to utilise water from Kaleshwaram project, which he called the Pride of Telangana, from this monsoon season itself. The government is bent upon completing Palamur-Ranga Reddy, Sitarama, Dindi and other projects on time. The government is moving towards making Telangana state, a bowl of agriculture produce in these five years, he said.

Narasimhan said due to implementation of Mission Kakatiya, thousands of tanks in the State are brimming with water. This also helped in increasing the water table and there is a steep increase in the water storage capacity.

"Since the formation of Telangana State and till date, for the irrigation the government has spent Rs. 99,643 Crore. In the days to come, more works are proposed to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.1,17,000 Crore on irrigation sector. In Godavari and Krishna River basin, the state has the allocation of 1300 TMC and this share of water will be utilized and at a cost of Rs. 2.25 Lakh Crore estimates, works will be completed to supply water to 1.25 Crore acres of land. The government is working on this programme with commitment," he said.

Giving details of Mission Bhagiratha programme, he said that by end of March this year, taps will be fitted at all the habitations and pure and safe drinking water will be supplied to every household in the State.

The Governor also claimed that there was a steep increase in the agriculture output, thanks to 24-hour-uninterrupted power supply and better irrigation facilities. "I feel extremely proud to announce that Telangana State is the only State in the country, which is providing 24-hour-uninterrupted and free power to the agriculture sector. The measures taken up by the Telangana State for development of agriculture are contributing to the revolutionary changes in the farm sector. They have instilled self-confidence and hope among the farmers," he said.

He also praised the Rythu Bandhu and Rythu Beema scheme launched by the State Government.

Narasimhan also listed out measures taken by the State Government to resolve energy crisis. "When the state was formed, Telangana had a deficit of 2,700 MW of power. The state government had carved out strategies and could find solution to the persisting power crisis. Now the government is supplying 24-hour-uninterrupted power to all the sectors. New power plants are being set up on a fast track to make the State, a power surplus one. 800 MW KTPS plant’s 7th Phase has started its operations recently. The 1080 MW Bhadradri plant is being completed and it will be operational from this year onwards. Works on 4,000 MW Yadadri plant are also being completed on fast track. The installed capacity of power at the time of formation of the State was 7,778 MW while it is 16,503 MW now. Telangana State has become the first progressive state in terms of per capita power consumption," he said.

The Governor said that the State Government was giving priority to quality education and better medical services and infrastructure. He said that the State Government has established residential educational institutions in a big way to impart quality education on par with the international standards from KG to PG to the students free of cost. "542 residential schools were started to give quality education to the students belonging to SC/ST/BC/Minorities. From this academic year onwards, one BC residential school per Legislative Assembly Constituency will be started covering all the 119 Assembly segments. In the days to come, the state government will take up several reforms in the education sector to make it comprehensive and strong," he said.

"To make houses for the poor, livable, and respectable, the state government is constructing and giving 2 bedroom houses to the poor free of cost for the first time in the country. Works are progressing on 2.72 lakh houses. As the promise made during the elections, the government will extend financial support of Rs. 5 to 6 lakh to the poor who wish to construct 2 bedroom houses on their own house sites," he said.

The Governor said that the State Government was working with a comprehensive strategy to improve the transportation situation in the state. "The state government could secure 3,150 KMs National Highways in the state. At the time of formation of the State, there were only 2,527 KMs of national highways in the state. As on date, the state has 5,677 Kms of the national highways. The state government has decided to lay 340 Kms length of Regional Ring Road around Hyderabad outside of the ORR on par with international standards. This is in tune with the fast developing Hyderabad city and its needs," he said.

The state government has decided to repair all the roads in the State. Works will be done on a Mission mode. The government has taken a firm decision to have BT roads in all the 12,751 villages in the state, he said.

The Governor also elaborated on Telangana's industrial policy and green initiatives. "Law and Order situation in the state has been maintained very well. The Police Command Control Centre, which is coming up, will render international services to the people. Intelligence network will be strengthened with this. The SHE teams formed to protect women have been rendering yeomen service and they were successful in containing incidence of eve teasing," he said.

"The State has achieved a stable development index, which no other state could. After the formation of the Telangana State, in the first four years it maintained an average growth rate of 17.17% per year. In this financial year till November, it registered a growth rate of 29.93% and stood first in the country. This growth rate was possible due to stringent fiscal measures of the government and measures initiated to eradicate corruption," he said.

The Governor said that in the days and years to come, the government will implement innovative programmes and schemes in tune with the aspirations of the people. "For the realization of Bangaru Telangana, devoid of poverty and unrest, where people can live with bountiful harvests, and prosperity, where there is development of all sections of the people, Telangana state government will rededicate itself through Manasa Vaacha Karmana (thought, word and deed)," he said.