Telangana Chief Minister K Chadrasekhara Rao though turned as a strong supporter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation move, he is forced to put hold on of several of his dream projects in the state. His office has given indication to officials that government’s priorities had now changed for the remaining four months of this financial year. They were also advised to put on hold of all such projects till Chief Minister called for a meeting.
No movement is seen in Rao’s exercise to construct a new Secretariat on the existing premises is also hanging in balance. It was originally planned for foundation stone laying ceremony during last week of October. But fortunately, officials felt it was postponed due to stay order given by the High Court, against a petition filed by Congress leader Jeevan Reddy questioning on the rational of demolishing existing buildings.
Even Rao urged Governor ESL Narasimhan’s intervention to persuade Andhra Pradesh government to vacate buildings under their occupation immediately. Governor specially went Amaravathi to convince AP Chief Minister Chadrababu Naidu in this regard. The construction will cost about Rs 300 crore to the government.
According to Finance Minister Etela Rajender there would be Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 crore revenue loss per month to Telangana state following demonetisation. “We don’t know for how many months this (revenue loss) will continue. Till lower denomination currency notes come, there will be problems. It could be three months or six months. Depends on Central government”, he said.
Other major works like construction of super speciality hospitals and permanent buildings with state of the art facilities for minority, BC, SC and ST Gurukulam schools are also unlikely to be materialised during this financial year. The State government had in fact earmarked Rs 700 crore to take up these works, which are bound to be kept on hold.
The government plans for construction of a new building on Osmania hospital premises, four super speciality hospitals in four different locations in and around Hyderabad and one more speciality hospital in Warangal under the Kaloji Narayan Rao Health University, at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore. It was also decided to construct permanent buildings for 50 minority and 40 BC and ST residential schools, which are now functioning in hired buildings.
