Telangana State deeply committed for upliftment of socio-economic backward group: KTR

Caretaker IT Minister K T Rama Rao stated that Telangana government was deeply committed for upliftment of socio-economic backward groups and was striving to reduce socio-economic inequalities through proactive policies and budgetory allocations.

The Minister was addressing an international seminar on ‘Inclusive Development: Issues and Challenges’ organised by Centre for Economic and Social Studies at its premises in the city on Monday.

 

Rama Rao asserted that education has been an important sector for the State government. He said that literacy, life expectancy and lifestyle improvement were essential for an improved per capita income where India was surging ahead. “Development is a common theme across all spheres of life. Development, welfare and inclusive growth are high on agenda of various political systems in the country. Fortunately, Indian economy is improving and benefits are trickling down to those living at the bottom of the pyramid, due to public policy and also civic



contribution,” he stated.

The Minister explained that the Telangana government allocated Rs 45,500 crore for social services which is nearly 43 per cent of total budget during last fiscal which was a 10 per cent increase when compared to previous financial year. He explained that the State government allocated Rs 16,400 crore for SCs, Rs 9,600 crore for STs, Rs 2,000 crore for minorities, and another Rs 18,000 crore for children, women, disabled and senior citizens in the budget.

“We have a unique system where unspent funds will carry forward to next year. Necessary legislations have been made in this regard,” the Minister said. He noted that the State government’s flagship programme Rythu Bandhu was lauded as a revolutionary programme by economists and agricultural scientists.

Former RBI Governor YV Reddy, German economist Hans-Bernd Schafer, Indian economists Amiya Kumar Bagchi and CH Hanumantha Rao, CESS Chairman R Radhakrishna and others also spoke.