India @75: KCR rolls out election express; lists 'farmer-friendly', 'Dalit-friendly' policies

On Independence Day, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao sounded an election bugle and listed `farmer-friendly', `investor-friendly, and `Dalit-friendly' policies of his government.

Addressing people on Independence Day, he remembered freedom fighters Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Subash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Gandhi, Jhansi Lakshmi Bai, BR Ambedkar, and others.

He also paid tributes to freedom fighters from Telangana who contributed to the country. They include Turrebaz Khan, Ramji Gond, Maulvi Alauddin, Sarojini Naidu, and others.

"Commemorating this historic occasion, the state government has called for hoisting the national flag on every house on the occasion of Independence Day. Besides, 1.20 crore flags made by Telangana artisans were distributed free of charge to every household," he said.

KCR said Telangana has emerged as a self-governing state and today it is emerging as a compass for the country. "Today, Telangana has emerged as a formidable economic power playing an excellent role in nation building," he said.

KCR regretted that in the 75 years of independence, there is no 'significant' change in the lives of Dalits.

"Social discrimination and oppression of the Dalits in the country continue even today," he said.

He further said that the state government has several welfare schemes in place for their benefit and upliftment.

"The government is implementing ten percent reservation for Dalits in profitable businesses that are set up with government licenses. Recently, out of 2,616 newly established wine shops, 261 shops have been reserved for Dalits," KCR said.

However, he said that the livelihood of the rural people of Telangana has been damaged due to the discriminatory policies implemented by the union government

KCR stated that Telangana provides quality drinking water and an uninterrupted power supply. "I am proud to say that Telangana has ushered in an unprecedented moment in Indian agriculture by achieving unprecedented agricultural stabilization in history," he said.

He stated that Telangana is the only state in the 75-year history of independent India which has given Rs 57,880 crore as crop investment to farmers without any need to repay.