Business of Growth
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has relied on a multi- pronged effort to set the pace for the evolution of his fledgling state. Telangana, he points out, has emerged as one of the fastest growing states in the country. With a buoyant economy, it has improved liquidity and enjoys the distinction of being allowed to borrow up to 3.5 per cent ( Rs 25,019 crore) of its total GSDP, as against the normal three per cent, for the third year in a row since 2015- 16. Improved fiscal responsibility and budget management measures have helped cut wasteful expenses, increase revenue and welfare allocations.
While boosting the GSDP, the state has consistently remained at the top of the ease of doing business ( EoDB) rankings with the TS- iPASS— the single- stop clearance facility launched by KCR in 2015. It ensures swift clearances to set up industries based on self- certification by the entrepreneur. Telangana is the only state that has accorded the investor a legal right to get industrial clearance, provided all compliances are in order. As part of EoDB, the state has launched 113 online services across 22 government departments, introduced inspection reforms and simplified procedures.
Telangana has also implemented holistic development for flagship social sector schemes. No wonder per person commercial bank credit extended in 2015- 16 was Rs 99,344 as compared to the national average of Rs 66,683. This has also enabled the state to notch the second highest improvement in per capita services GDP after Karnataka ( it increased from Rs 23,993 annually to Rs 64,496, an increase of 169 per cent between 2009 and 2014).
Cleanliness and greening of the fledgling state have been top priorities. Leading from the front, KCR has pushed the planting of 820 million saplings in the last three years thr ough the Haritha Haram ( Garland of Green) campaign. “Union minister Harsh Vardhan said in Parliament that 20 per cent of the
country’s green cover drive comes from Telangana,” says KCR.
A state action plan, mapping key sectors likely to be affected by climate change and the mitigation interventions needed, is in the works.
It is the only large state where all schools have a separate toilet facility for girls. Further, four districts and 2,622 villages are eligible for the ODF or open defecation- free tag having built toilets for all.