TDP backs NDA's presidential candidate Kovind
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has confirmed the support of his Telugu Desam Party to the NDA's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind. According to the CMO, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the CM and told him, "As per your suggestion, we have decided upon a dalit candidate for the president's post and we request your support for the candidate.” Rao replied saying, “A prominent dalit as president is a good decision and we support his candidature." The state government is expecting a quid pro quo in terms of huge funds for its pet programmes, including Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya.
Rao continues to make promises
Although CM Rao hasn't been able to fulfill many of the campaign promises made in 2014, he continues to come up with more promises, chief among them being the sheep distribution scheme. The Rs 5,000 crore scheme was inaugurated at Kondapaka in Gajwel assembly constituency of Siddipet district. The chief minister has taken up the project, keeping in mind the welfare of the two lakh yadava and kuruva community members in the state. A cabinet sub-committee headed by Animal Husbandry Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav came up with a proposal to distribute sheep among the community members to help them with their livelihood. The state is now seeking a loan from National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for the scheme. In fact, there are plans to procure two lakh top breeds of sheep from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh to be distributed among the beneficiaries. The government is hopeful that focus on sheep will prove to be beneficial as over 50,000 kg of meat is being bought on a daily basis from the neighbouring states. The animal husbandry department officials said Hyderabad alone needs more than 50,000 kg of meat per day.
Rao's eccentricities make news
Recently, CM Rao expressed his desire to see the national flag on 100-ft flag posts in all the 30 district headquarters soon. A year ago, a large flag was unfurled on a 291-ft flag post at Sanjeevaiah Park in Hyderabad. The CM's desire is sure to burn a hole in the state exchequer's pocket as the project would cost approximately Rs 15 crore. The CM, who wants to turn Sanjeevaiah Park into a tourist spot, has sought a detailed project report from all districts on installing long flag posts.
Rao's love for minorities land in him trouble
Rao has demanded that Muslims in the state should get more quota and said his government would fight with the Centre to ensure Muslims get 12 per cent reservation. “We will not keep quiet till reservations turn into realty,” he said. A bill in this regard is already sent to the Center for ratification. Meanwhile, a PIL was filed against the state government, demanding that the government should not be allowed to host the annual iftar party as it would cost Rs 60 lakh. The hearing was adjourned for Thursday. The government, however, assured the High Court that the iftar parties would be conducted in 800 mosques across the state and only poor people from Muslim community would benefit from it. The HC bench has asked the government to submit a report within three weeks, giving details of the number of poor Muslims who attended the iftar party and received gifts and the expenditure incurred for the same.
Free transportation for students
Telangana government has decided to offer free transportation to students who do not live near their schools. Under the Right to Education Act, 2009, the government has extended free transportation facility to as many as 17,619 students. A government order stated that the government would spend Rs 5.28 crore to provide transportation in autos and vans to 4,304 primary students and 13,315 upper primary students.