"I will ensure development, you plant trees," Telangana CM's 'green' exchange offer

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was on Congress' turf announcing a slew of sops on Thursday

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao made a 'green' proposal to people of Suryapet and Nalgonda districts. 'I will give you development, you plant trees', was KCR's request to people when he announced a slew of sops for the region, which has been a Congress bastion.

KCR announced the sanction of Rs 75 crores for Nalgonda and Suryapet's infrastructure development. "Each of you plant six trees in your house," was what KCR demanded in exchange. The Chief Miniter, in a clear bid, to win the favor of voters in the traditional Congress turf not just announced sops but also highlighted why the Congress was responsible for the 'backwardness in the districts'.

Two medical colleges, one each in Nalgonda and Suryapet, Rs 15 lakh each as development fund for 323 Gram panchayats, Rs 10 lakh each for the development of every ST village, funds for modernization of Musi canal system and Peddadavulapalli balancing reservoir- in all Rs 75 crores as infrastructure fund has been announced by Chandrasekhar Rao. The highlight of his public address was, however, his unique request to the people to plant trees in exchange for development.

The announcements assume significance considering that the region is a Congress stronghold. Rao ensured that he highlighted the previous governments' shortcomings in ensuring better infrastructure and irrigation projects to the region. "My main focus is completing Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, which will provide water to Suryapet, Kodad and other segments in the district," he said. He added that the Nagarjuna Sagar dam was supposed to be built at Yeleswaram but was shifted 19 kms away.

"Had they built it at Yeleswaram, more than 10 lakh acres in the erstwhile undivided Nalgonda district would have availed irrigation facilities," he said accusing the Congress of committing grave injustice to Telangana. Unrest followed the CM's visit since leaders of other parties were taken into preventive custody to ensure an uneventful visit.

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