In a significant pre-election push, Telangana's Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday unveiled major development initiatives for the state's coal belt region, including a new power plant and housing benefits.
New Power Project and Welfare Distribution
Addressing a public meeting in Ramagundam after touring Godavarikhani and surrounding municipalities, Bhatti declared that the state cabinet has approved an 800-MW thermal power project for the region. He stated that the Congress government would soon lay its foundation stone.
During the event, he distributed sanction letters for the Indiramma housing scheme and land pattas (title deeds) to beneficiaries, which notably included transgender persons. The government is providing a grant of Rs 5 lakh for house construction under this scheme.
Contrast with Previous Government and Vision for Singareni
Bhatti launched a sharp critique against the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, alleging that during its ten-year rule, it did not bring a single new project to the Ramagundam region. He emphasized that governments should implement programs that genuinely benefit people, not incite emotions for political gain.
Praising Singareni Collieries as the "jewel in the crown of Telangana," he highlighted its workforce of over 42,000 regular and 40,000 outsourced employees. Bhatti proposed that Singareni should leverage its mining expertise to venture into rare earth minerals mining to gain global significance and create more jobs.
Insurance and Welfare Schemes Highlighted
The Deputy Chief Minister listed several welfare measures of the Congress government:
- Rs 1 crore accident insurance for families of Singareni employees, now extended to all power sector workers.
- The same insurance cover for 5.14 lakh regular state government employees.
- Distribution of fine rice, 200 units of free electricity, gas cylinders at Rs 500, free power for agriculture, and free bus travel for women.
Bhatti asserted that the Congress government, under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, is working with financial discipline to avoid debt and rapidly develop Telangana. He stated the 'Indiramma government' is progressing towards the goal of building a $3 trillion economy by 2047.
