In country's first, Telangana spent Rs 16,000 cr on 141 municipalities: KTR

HYDERABAD: The Telangana government spent a staggering Rs 15961 crores on 141 municipalities across the state, excluding Hyderabad, in the last 8.5 years, which no other state in the country did, according to Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Minister K.T. Rama Rao.

He said that a comprehensive report on it would be distributed among all MLAs, MLCs, MPs, during the next Assembly Session and to Municipal Commissioners, Assistant Collector Local Bodies (ACLB) too to let them know how the State government has been trying to improve towns. The Minister said that it includes the money spent on Pattana Pragathi, CM assurances, Mission Bhagiratha, and other works.

The MA&UD Minister said that municipal administration and governance is not always about spending money on new infra creation. It is also about bringing in reformative legislation, and revolutionising policies and laws.

He spoke about the path-breaking Telangana State Building Permission Approval & Self Certification System (TS-bPASS) implemented by the State government and said that no other State in the country introduced legislation which helps citizens get the approvals in such a transparent manner. Addressing Municipal Commissioners, ACLBs and others gathered at a workshop on Pattana Pragathi held in Hyderabad on Thursday, KTR asked them to review implementation of TS-bPASS at ground level and suggest changes to it, if any.

Appreciating officials and staff for winning 26 awards in Swachh Survekshan-2022, he said that the Central Government’s awards are a testament to the focus, commitment, and passion invested by people in the State. KTR said that the Centre cannot afford to ignore the development ushered in by the State government in towns and villages, regardless of political affiliations. Urging the officials and staff to be innovative at work and asking them not to hesitate in pitching new ideas, KTR said that he is committed to make the department the best in the country.

During the workshop, he inquired about the status of various development projects in 141 municipalities across the state, including integrated veg and non-veg markets, Mission Bhagiratha projects, Vaikunta Dhamams, biomining, recycling and reusing all forms of waste, Fecal Sludge Treatment Plants, Digital Door Numbering, and others.

Explaining the concept of zero waste which is about efficiently recycling and reusing solid, wet and other forms of waste, he asked them to go through Accredited Staff College of India’s (ASCI) book titled ‘Innovations and leading practices in water sanitation and hygiene’ which also has concepts on circular economy, utilising construction and demolition waste, solid and liquid waste.

On the occasion, KTR announced that 42 of 141 municipalities had achieved ODF++ status and urged Municipal Commissioners and ACLBs of the remaining 99 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to work hard to achieve the distinction. He stated that the Pattana Pragathi Dhinotsavam, which would be held in February, would recognise and reward Municipal Commissioners and ACLBs who have done exceptional work in innovation, city beautification, and improving greenery.