Telangana becoming a role model state: Governor

Hyderabad: Telangana is on its way to becoming a role model state in the country with its flagship schemes like Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya finding an echo at the national level, Governor ESL Narasimhan said on Thursday.

Addressing the Republic Day parade, he said NITI Aayog and other state governments were admiring the Telangana model.

He claimed that the youngest state is often being referred to as the "most happening state".

Narasimhan said the state was developing rapidly as reflected in the number one position it achieved in the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) rankings.

He pointed out that under the unique Telangana Industrial Project Approval and Self-Certification System (TS-iPASS) policy, nearly 3,000 industries were given clearances with an investment of Rs 50,000 crore to create about two lakh jobs and a substantial number of them have already gone into production.

Stating that Hyderabad is now recognized as one of the leading Information Technology hubs globally, the Governor said the growth in IT sector is 16 percent, which is three percent higher than the national growth average.

The T-Hub initiative to encourage start-ups and innovators has received national and global acclaim and the government is going ahead with the second phase of T-Hub.

He said 21 new districts were created last year with the goal to take governance to people`s doorsteps.

Under Mission Kakatiya, restoration of nearly 45,600 lakes and tanks has been taken up. The programme won appreciation from several quarters and the NITI Ayog.

Under the first-of-its kind Mission Bhagiratha taken up at a cost of Rs 42,000 crore, the government has set the goal to provide drinking water through taps to every household. The plan is to cover 25,000 rural habitations by the end of 2018. 

"This gigantic exercise has been segregated into 26 segments and takes into account the water needs of the entire population for the next three decades," Narasimhan said.

He listed the steps taken during the last 31 months for the welfare of weaker sections and poor.

At the main official function held at Parade Ground, the Governor unfurled the national flag and reviewed the colourful parade.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, his cabinet colleagues and top officials were present.