KCR claims Telangana grew at 21 per cent

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Ugadi day said Telangana State has proven its detractors wrong by achieving a whopping 21 per cent growth rate and is now the No. 1 state in the country.

He also asked home minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy and Hyderabad police commissioner Mahender Reddy to be extra vigilant in view of the Panchanga prediction of likely terror attacks between August and October.

“Santosh Sharma garu says that the Telangana state will have good rains, good crops... Astrologers and scientists say there will be no Al Nino-like effect this year. Nothing more comforting than this,” Mr Rao said.

Speaking after the Panchana Patanam (Almanac reading) on the occasion of Ugadi at “Janahita”, the CM’s camp office at Begumpet on Wednesday, Mr Rao said: “Telangana is moving forward. Blessings of gods and good administration will ensure prosperity.”

The CM said he discussed the status of the new state with Chief Secretary S.P. Singh, finance secretary Ramakrishna, senior leader K. Kesava Rao and others.

“I was surprised at the outcome. What we said on self-rule during the T-movement has



proven true. The PM and others had asked why we needed Telangana. We said it was to plan our own needs, tap resources and accelerate development. The so-called backwardness and drought-prone area are  mere propaganda,” Mr Rao said.

He said that 21 per cent growth rate indicates the state will have an additional Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore revenue. “I asked the CS whether we can move forward. He said “yes” and assured that the growth rate will not be less than 15 per cent. I am really happy about this. With the cooperation of ministers, IAS and IPS officers...they are old hands... we are moving forward,” the CM said. He said over 3,500 industries were established with investment of Rs 50,000 crore providing 2 lakh jobs.

“They are Telangana ambassadors. Some Industrialists told me it takes 2 to 2.5 years to start production in other states, but its taking just 4 to 5 months in Telangana, thank to quick sanctions and no corruption,” Mr Rao said.

Quoting Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, the CM said, “Mr Jaitley patted me as movement leader and said Winston Churchill was a successful war PM, but failed as administrator.”