Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at Martyrs Memorial in Hyderabad on September 17, 2024.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to promoting comprehensive development in Telangana, prioritizing the welfare of youth, women, farmers, and marginalized communities.
The government is committed to serving the welfare of four crore citizens as part of its governance and scheme implementation. In a significant announcement, the Chief Minister declared that September 17 will be celebrated as ‘Telangana Praja Palana Dinotsavam’ (People’s Governance Day) to commemorate the integration of Hyderabad State into the Indian Union, thereby promoting accelerated growth within the state.
During a ceremony in Hyderabad on September 17, 2024, where he unfurled the national flag, Reddy noted the historical debate on whether to observe this date as Liberation Day or Integration Day. He emphasized that the Congress party, committed to honoring this pivotal moment in Telangana’s history, has chosen to designate it as a day celebrating the people’s governance.
CM: Distinguishing Day Honors Martyrs’ Sacrifices
“On this day in 1948, the people ended Nizam’s rule, ushering in democracy. There is no room for political division on this occasion. The government has resolved to celebrate this as People’s Governance Day, as referring to it merely as Liberation or Integration Day does a disservice to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives,” he stated.
Revanth Reddy asserted that designating this day aligns with the aspirations of the four crore citizens of Telangana, arguing that any opposition comes from political motives rather than genuine public interest. He stressed that this decision reflects a spirit of struggle, rather than self-serving political agendas.
The Chief Minister described Telangana’s geographical layout as a “closed fist,” symbolizing unity among all castes and religions. “Any attempts to ignite controversy regarding September 17 or disrupt this unity are unacceptable,” he stated.
He criticized the last decade of governance, labeling it as ‘dictatorial rule,’ and mentioned how the Congress party sought inspiration from September 17 to liberate the state from oppressive leadership. Steps are being taken to revive the rich Telangana culture and economy that suffered under the previous regime.
“The previous rulers operated under an illusion that Telangana relied on their goodwill, neglecting the populace’s welfare,” he remarked. Among the actions taken to promote Telangana’s heritage, the government officially recognized “Jaya Jayahe Telangana” as the state song and changed the designation from TS to TG.
Addressing the state’s financial challenges, the Chief Minister revealed that the previous government left behind a debt of ₹7 lakh crore, resulting in the current administration managing repayments of ₹6,000 crore monthly. Despite these financial constraints, the government has met its six key guarantees and is working to stabilize state finances.
Efforts are underway to restructure loans and clamp down on revenue leakage, while the state is demanding its fair share of Central devolutions. He highlighted his engagements in the national capital, advocating for the state’s needs to federal authorities.
“I am not a detached leader. My trips to New Delhi are vital for pushing the state’s interests. It is our national capital, and my government is diligently working to ensure funding aligns with federal obligations,” he stated.
Additionally, he noted his advocacy for increasing state devolutions from 41% to 50% with the Finance Commission. The state is also being presented as a future investment destination on the global stage. A dual approach for youth is being implemented, involving stringent actions against drug use while promoting their talents through skill and sports universities. Steps are being initiated to restore ecological balance, leading to the establishment of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA). He claimed that certain vested interests are attempting to obstruct this authority’s functioning but emphasized that politics plays no role in HYDRAA’s creation.
Published – September 17, 2024 12:26 pm IST
