78th Independence Day Celebrations

Hon‘ble Chief Minister Sri A Revanth Reddy’s speech on the occasion of Independence Day Celebrations.

Dear friends,

Independence Day greetings to all. Today is an auspicious day for all of us as our country was liberated from the shackles of British colonial rule. Today is red letter day for India since we hoisted the tricolor flag and the existence of the county came into being with a  proud moment in the history of India.

Everyone has been enjoying freedom with the sacrifices of many noted personalities during the India freedom struggle. India’s freedom from colonial rule is the result of the protracted struggle and sacrifices of numerous freedom fighters. I am paying tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives to the cause of the country. Remembering the services of many freedom stalwarts, I am extending Independence Day greetings to all Telangana people.

Dear all

Fighting means – struggle, war and violence. India’s freedom struggle made its own mark by adopting a nonviolent path. India has proved that freedom can be achieved through nonviolent path to the world and the entire credit would go to Father of India Mahatma Gandhi. I am extending gratitude by bowing my head to Gandhi for showing a new path of violence free struggle and his philosophy.

Dear friends,

Achieving freedom does not imply reaching the destination. India encountered numerous hurdles in the initial times of emerging as a democratic country. The division of India soon after attaining freedom was a big challenge. The Congress party shouldered the responsibility of strengthening  the country by laying strong foundations through planning and making India a modern country. India would have been a non entity if the leadership  acked a political policy and foresight.

The exploitation of India for centuries forced the country to face many challenges after attaining freedom in 1947. First Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru has taken the responsibility of making India a vibrant country. Nehru’s vision and humane approach promoted India as a scientifically and industrial developing country.

Nehru has introduced five year plans by giving top priority to Agriculture and Industrial development. The irrigation projects constructed during the Nehru regime were called Modern Temples. The irrigation projects provided irrigation facilities to crores of acres. The construction of Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam, Sriram Sagar projects tarted during the Nehru regime. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has completed the projects and brought cheers in the lives of crores of farmers in India.

BHEL, ECIL, IDPL and Midhani companies were established during the golden era of Congress rule. The green revolution, white revolution, Blue revolution were launched for the integrated development of the country. The banking sector was also nationalised and reached the services at thedoorstepss of rural people . This all happened only by the visionary Congress leadership in independent India.

The Green Revolution introduced by the former prime ministers  Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi addressed the food crisis in India, which imported foodgrains till 1947, and emerged  as one among food grain exporting countries in the world. The 20 point programme launched by Indira Gandhi helped for social and economic emancipation of people. Rajiv Gandhi brought revolutionary reforms in the telecom sector. Indigenous technology was also developed in the Space and Atomic energy sectors and India stood one among a few countries in the world to compete.

While Rajiv Gandhi brought a scientific revolution in the country, Telugu pride and proud Son of Telangana PV Narasimha Rao changed India’s future by introducing economic reforms. The development which took place during Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao’s regime placed India as one of the fastest developing countries and competed with the developed nations. The Congress contributions during the freedom struggle and in nation building are significant and remarkable. Today’s generation should understand the facts and acquire knowledge.

Dear all

Congress has the history of its commitment to the word given to people and ruled the country with dedication. The Congress also fulfilled the aspirations of Telangana people. Smt Sonia Gandhi made the promise of statehood for Telangana at Karimnagar public meeting in 2004. Sonia Gandhi assured that she will fulfill the aspirations of Telangana people and proved by granting statehood for Telangana on June 2, 2014.

Our philosophy is Gandhi philosophy. Gandhi says freedom means not only political emancipation but also the social and cultural renaissance. The true meaning of sacrifices and independence will be credited only when the fruits of India’s freedom reach to the underprivileged communities. The respect and value of the country will be elevated with the comprehensive development of all sections of people.

Dear friends

After a decade of the formation of Telangana state, the people’ government formed in the state in tune with the aspirations of four crore Telangana people, sacrifices of youth and students struggle.  The Telangana State was originally liberated on December 3, 2023. The government was elected by the people and for the people. First time, the state is witnessing a democratic government.

Dear all

My government accorded the first priority to revive the freedom which Telangana was deprived of for the last 10 years. We broke the shackles of physical and psychological slavery. Today, people have the freedom to question the government. A facility was also created to seek suggestions from people to run the people-friendly government. The state government is functioning in the interests of the majority of people. The government is ready to rectify mistakes, if any. We have been maintaining restraint though some forces made false allegations against the government. The government is functioning with utmost conscience and inspiration.

Dear friends

The state economy was completely ruined when the Congress assumed power in the state. The debt burden mounted by 10 times. The total state debt at the time of formation of Telangana was Rs 75,577 crore and it has increased to  Rs 7 lakh crore in December last year. Government released a white paper on State finances and also committed to revitalize the state economy.

The government is already making efforts to restructure the state debts. We met with the World Bank President during our recent visit to America. I am delighted to announce that talks with the world bank representatives were held in a cordial manner in extending financial assistance with low interest rate for State development. My government will not commit the mistakes of borrowing funds with higher interest rates and putting a heavy burden on people. Despite facing financial hurdles,  the government is making all out efforts to fulfill the promises of Abhayahastham with a commitment of bringing  happiness in every family.

Mahalakshmi Scheme

Without making any financial estimations, my government created a record by implementing two of the six promises within 48 hours after coming to power. Free bus travel for women was launched. As of July,  women saved Rs 2619 crore from the free bus travel scheme.

Rajiv Arogyasri:

My government is committed to save every patient by providing adequate medical treatment. The Arogyasri scheme is being strengthened by providing corporate medical treatment to the poorer sections. The limit of the Arogyasri scheme has been increased to Rs 10 lakhs from Rs 5 lakhs to implement the scheme effectively. 163 medical treatments have been added under Arogyasri. The health insurance  covers  1825 medical treatments. The prices of  Arogyasri packages also increased by 20 per cent. Organ transplantation and other modern medical treatments are also brought under the purview of the health scheme. Government already decided to extend Arogyasri services without ration cards and committed to modernize the government hospitals to extend medical facilities to all. The distribution of Digital Health Profile cards with an unique number to everyone will be launched soon. The government came up with the idea of distributing digital health cards by compiling the health data of all people and extending medical treatment and diagnosis in a simple way.

Cooking Gas Cylinder at Rs 500 only

With an aim to wipe out the tears of women, the government launched a highly subsidised LPG gas cylinder supply scheme at Rs 500 under the Mahalakshmi program. The gas cylinder price was Rs 410 at the time of Congress losing power in 2014. The cylinder price has increased to Rs 1200 in 10 years. RS 500 gas cylinder scheme was launched on February 27 this year by extending the benefit to 40 lakh . Today the total beneficiaries are 43 lakh under the scheme. The government has spent Rs 242 crore for 85.17 lakh cylinders supplied to the beneficiaries.

Gruha Jyoti Scheme

The scheme has been introduced to reduce burden on poor families and supply quality power to the beneficiaries. Free power up to 200 units is being supplied to every identified family. The scheme was launched in March 2024. The scheme benefit is being extended to those who submitted applications at Praja Palana centers also. A total number of 47.13 lakh beneficiaries are enjoying the scheme benefit.

Indiramma Houses

As promised in the election manifesto, the government launched INDIRAMMA housing scheme to fulfill the dream of owning a house by poorer sections in the state. The scheme was launched in the presence of Lord Sitarama in the temple town of Bhadrachalam. The government targeted to construct 4.50 lakh houses this year. 3500 houses have been alloted to every Assembly Constituency. Rs 5 Lakh financial assistance will also be provided to poor who construct their house.

Farm Loan Waiver up to Rs 2 Lakhs

The State Government accorded top priority to agriculture. A whopping Rs 72,659 crore has been alloted for agriculture and allied sectors in the budget. Efforts are also being made to enhance the farmers incomes and also farm output.

Seeds and fertilizers are supplied to the farmers through Primary Agricultural Cooperative societies. Government supplied 11.85 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizers to farmers up to July 24  in Vana Kalam season this year.

Dear friends

Farmers are celebrating a big festival in the state. The distressed farmers are freed from mounting debt burden. As per the Warangal Declaration announced during the election period, the government is successfully implementing farm loans up to Rs 2 lakhs in one go. Some political forces said the farm loan waiver is impossible. The government made it possible and proved farmer friendly. Opposition parties are trying to find fault in the implementation of the farm loan waiver scheme. I would like to say something about. Every deserving farmer will benefit from the scheme. The State Agriculture department took the responsibility of addressing the grievances that arose due to technical problems.

Dear friends

Government has  deposited Rs 6,098 crore in the farmers bank accounts directly on July 18 and relieved them from debt burden up to Rs 1 lakh in the first installment. 11.50 lakh farmers got a big relief. In the second phase, 6.40 lakh farmers availed the farm loan waiver scheme benefit. Today, we are witnessing a wonderful occasion of the waiver of farm loan up to Rs 2 lakhs at one time. It is a proud moment that farmers got a big relief from debts on the same day of the independence  day. My life purpose is fulfilled. I strongly believe that the country will flourish when the farmers prosper. GovThe governmentent Rs 31,000 crore on farm loan waiver.

Rythu Bharosa

My government is committed to provide Rs 15,000 per acre to every eligible farmer under the Rythu Bharosa scheme. The previous government paid only Rs 10,000 per acre. The ineligible mainly the land owners who did not cultivate lands and realty owners also benefitted. Public money was misused and the farmers are at the receiving end. Government is preparing modalities and guidelines to implement the Rythu Bharosa scheme in a transparent manner. A Cabinet Subcommittee was also constituted. The subcommittee visited the state and sought opinions and suggestions from farmers, agriculture labourers, intellectuals and farmer associations on Rythu Bharosa. Government will launch Rythu Bharosa by considering all suggestions and finalizing the modalities.

Rs 500 Bonus for Fine Paddy Variety

Telangana has been practicing abundant paddy cultivation. Farmers are facing problems due to lack of remunerative price to their farm produce. It is decided to provide a Rs 500 bonus for fine paddy varieties. 33 fine varieties were already identified.

Government is purchasing paddy at the procurement centers and also provided a minimum support price. The number of procurement centers increased to 7178 in the Rabi season. The payments are made within 48 hours of the purchase. 24 hour free power supply to agriculture is provided. The government is curbing spurious seed supply strictly.

Crop Insurance Scheme

Government has decided to join the  Fasal Bima Yojana scheme to implement the crop insurance scheme. Government will pay the premium on behalf of the farmers and provide security to the crops with any burden on the farming community. The Rythunestham program has been launched to provide modern technology and  advanced scientific practices to the farmers to increase the crop yields. Special incentives will be provided for Palm Oil and Horticulture crops.

Solution for Dharani Problems

Government paid special focus on Dharani problems being faced by the farming community in the state. Farmers suffered a lot due to irregularities and lopsided policies adopted in the functioning of Dharani. Special drive was taken up between March 1 and 15 to address Dharani problems. Government has taken measures to register complaints in case the applications on dharani problems are rejected. Government already instructed the authorities to address the pending dharani applications. The government is mulling to bring an integrated act to address land related issues.

Tackling Drug Menace with Iron Hand

Today , the society is marred by drug and cyber crimes. The threat of ineffectiveness of the people is looming large due to the two big menaces. It is a worrying factor for all and the major concern is the future generations. Strict measures have been initiated to free the state from drug menace. Government adopted Zero tolerance to curb drug trafficking. T- NAB is strengthened. Call centre with 1930 number is functioning round the clock to receive complaints from the victims of the cyber frauds.

Revolutionary Reforms in Education

Government decided to constitute the ” Vidya Commission” soon. Anganwadi centers will be upgraded as Pre Primary schools.  The task of providing Quality education, skill development and job creation will be taken up on a mission mode.

Uniforms and textbooks supplied to the students on the first day of the opening of the schools. Basic amenities in the schools are provided through Amma Adarsha School Committees. 65 ITI institutions are upgraded as skill development centers with the help of Tata company. Integrated Model schools for SC, ST, BC and Minorities will be established on a sprawling 25 acres in every Assembly Constituency.

Foundation stone was already laid for Young India Skills University at Begari Kancha. This new initiative will be revolutionary in Telangana education sector. Job guarantee is provided to the youth with new skills. Mahindra group Chairman Anand Mahindra has been appointed as the Chairman of the Skill University.

Telangana As ‘Future State’

It is not glossy buildings and colourful walls but qualitative change in the lives of people is the need of the hour. Development and welfare should be undertaken equally to bring qualitative changes in people’s lives. The Telangana should be promoted as the Gateway of the world . The Telangana brand should be projected on the world platform. As part of it, Minister Sridhar Babu and myself visited America recently. We held meetings with global investors and multinational company representatives and explained investment prospects in Telangana. We projected  Telangana as a Future State and explained the initiatives – Fourth city, Musi Riverfront Development project, Regional Ring Road, International standard civic infrastructure, Metro Rail expansion etc. Government entered MoUs with companies and achieved a record  Rs 40,000 crore investments in Telangana at Davos meeting. Government already started an action plan to execute the agreements. We strongly hope that the huge investments will provide employment to Telangana youth.

HYDRA FOR CITY

Government has established HYDRA for  the management of Hyderabad City  and the proposed new City in a planned manner. All the urban areas and Gram panchayats spread up to Outer Ring Road are recognised as Telangana Core Urban Region. HYDRA ( Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency) will protect government properties, water bodies and parks from encroachments. The Hydra will also play a key role in disaster management in the crisis time.

Employment Opportunities for Youth

Government handed over appointment orders to 30,000 selected persons within 3 months after coming to power. Telangana Public Service Commission has been reformed and conducted Group one prelims exam successfully. DSC to fill 11,062 teachers posts was also conducted successfully. The age limit for government jobs increased to 46 years from 44 years.

Government solved the legal problems to conduct Group one, Group -2 and Group 3 exams. Job calendar was also announced in the Assembly. The exams will be conducted as per the job calendar and fill the vacancies every year. I am assuring the unemployed youth that my government is ready to solve the problems . Youth should bring their issues to the notice of the government. My appeal to the youth is to not get carried away by false statements from rival parties and spoil the future. Youth have already lost their precious 10 years of time. I will stand by as a big brother. Rs one lakh financial assistance is already provided to the students who cleared Civils prelims under Rajiv Gandhi Civils Abhayahastham with the support of Singareni.

INDIRA MAHILA SHAKTI SCHEME

Government already envisaged plans to empower 63 lakh women as entrepreneurs and industrialists under the Indira Mahila Shakti scheme. The government targeted to provide Rs one lakh crore financial assistance and establish Srinidhi. Government will provide required skills to the women groups and also promote their products through branding and marketing.

Government already introduced a loan insurance scheme under the Indira Mahila Shakti scheme. Under the scheme, a maximum loan amount of Rs 2 lakhs will be waived off in case the woman member in the group dies. The self help groups were already given the works of stitching school uniforms and opened DWCRA Mahila Bazar to sell their products at shilparamam. Life insurance facility is also provided to 63.86 women group members. Rs 10 lakh accident insurance policy for women groups was also launched.

Solving Division of Assets

The division of assets between the two states after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh remained pending for the last 10 years. Water sharing in river Krishna and Godavari  was also not addressed. My government is giving priority to state interests and maintaining cordial relations with the neighbouring states as well as with the Centre. Government is hoping for a positive outcome from the talks held recently with AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on pending bifurcation related issues.

This is the people’s government and everyone’s government. My government respects democratic values and gives importance to freedom. I am assuring all that the government will accord top priority to welfare and make Telangana proud on the world platform. I am appealing to all to extend cooperation and Independence day greetings to all once again.

Dear friends

The USA and South Korea tour derived fruitful results. We held talks with 10 most popular global companies. The government entered agreements for Rs 31,532 crore investments in Telangana. The MoUs with global companies will create 30,000 job opportunities. Government introduced Telangana as’ Future City’ before the world during the US visit. It is a big milestone. Hoping Telangana will reach many heights  in the future, I am assuring all that the People’s Government will strive to prosper farmers, youth , women, employees, traders and all sections in a peace loving welfare state.