Telangana CM pushes for environment protection

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], Feb 5 (ANI): Addressing the need to protect the environment in the capital city of Hyderabad and its neighbouring regions, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has called for the development of forest blocks in the surrounding forest lands.

In a meeting at Pragati Bhavan on Sunday, the Chief Minister said that the 1.5 lakh acres of forest land available in the radius of 50 to 60 kilometres around the city should be developed into forest blocks to allow fresh air, and green cover should spread in these areas rapidly.

Rao also directed that Musi River Front and Hyderabad Urban Forestry should be developed specially and funds should be spent on the same. The Chief Minister wanted walkway in the Musi River Front like the one in KBR Park.

As part of the 'Save Hyderabad' Campaign, he instructed the Chief Secretary, Municipal and Forest Ministers, Chief Conservator of Forests, Chief Advisor to the government Rajiv Sharma, and CMP Principal Secretary S Narsing Rao to visit Hyderabad and its surrounding forest areas to study the ways the area can be developed.

The Chief Minister also reviewed Revenue department, Panchayat Raj, Municipal Administration, and Medical and Health department issue.

He reviewed the progress made in the draft bill, formation of new rural and urban Panchayats, and said the Panchayat Raj Act Bill should be introduced in the legislature at a special session before the Budget Session.

He also instructed the Finance Secretary to make provision in the budget to give to the Gram Panchayats a fund of Rs five lakh to Rs 30 lakh based on the population figures every year.

He has also instructed the officials concerned to prepare guidelines on the procurement of funds from the MGNREGA, Finance Commission, funds from the government's budget and funds accrued through the property tax for the Gram Panchayats.

Rao further reviewed the progress made in the printing of the new passbooks, setting up of the website 'Dharani' with revenue and IT officials against the backdrop of proposed distribution of new passbooks on March 11 all over the state, and instructed the Chief Secretary to ensure completion of the works on time.

The Chief Minister also instructed the Medical and Health Minister, Chief Secretary, Secretary, Medical and Health, and Commissioner of Medical and Health to prepare a strategy and complete in three months the state-wide programme to organise free eye-camps and distribute free spectacles to the need.

Rao also called for participation of the NGOs, and other civil society organizations in this programme.

He also instructed the Medical and Health officials to launch a campaign on awareness on the medical and health issues, preventive measures, and the like, on behalf of the government.

Ministers T Harish Rao, Tummala Nageswara Rao, Jupally Krishna Rao, KT Rama Rao, Jagadeesh Reddy, among others were present in the meeting. (ANI)