As Monday’s sun rose on the new State of Telangana beginning a new epoch and people woke up to see their six-decade old dream turned into a reality, 60-year-old Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao took the reins, promising the masses a blend of welfare, development and a corruption-free Government.
In his maiden address to the people of Telangana after he was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the newborn State by Governor ESl Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan here, KCR vowed to develop the region into a “model State”.
President’s Rule, which was imposed in Andhra Pradesh on February 21 following the resignation of then Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, was partially lifted ahead ofKCR’s oath-taking ceremony. President’s Rule will continue in the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh till June 8 when N Chandrababu Naidu-led Government will be sworn in.
Amid euphoric celebrations, which erupted all over Telangana at midnight, KCR took salute at a colourful ceremonial parade at the Secunderabad Parade Ground marking the Formation Day.KCR, known for making impromptu and freewheeling speeches, for the first time read from a prepared text assuring that his Government will have cordial relations with the neighbouring States.
“People of Telangana are looking forward for a progressive and development-oriented State. We will work in that direction and ensure a transparent administration. We will make Telangana a model State of the country in all respects,” KCR said.After Sunday night’s animated celebrations by the millions with full of fervour, music, dance and fireworks all over Telangana, it was a hectic day for KCR who rushed from one venue to another striving hard to keep the time. His day started with attending ESl Narasimha’s swearing-in as the first Governor of Telangana at Raj Bhavan at 6.30 am.
Chief Justice of State High Court Kalyanjyoti Sen Gupta administered him the oath of office and secrecy. His second stop was at the Martyrs’ Memorial at Gun Park to lay wreath and pay respect to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Telangana.
Clad in a white shirt and trouser and sporting a bright smile, KCR was again back in Raj Bhavan for his own swearing-in at 8.15 am. An eleven-member Cabinet, which includes KCR’s son K Taraka Rama Rao and nephew T Harish Rao was also sworn in along with him.
Though many senior Congress leaders, including former Speaker N Manohar attended the ceremony, KCR’s counterpart from Seemandhra N Chandrababu Naidu gave the event a miss. Naidu was reportedly unhappy over KCR not extending him a personal invitation. Naidu, along with other important leaders, was sent invitation by the administration. But he participated in Telangana Formation Day at TDP office and extended warm greetings and good wishes to the people of the State.
However in a significant gesture, Naidu personally made a phone call to KCR to congratulate him. He also invited KCR to attend his swearing-in ceremony as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on June 8. “This is a beginning towards working together”, Naidu told the media after his phone call.Having put his Cabinet in place, KCR rushed to the Secunderabad Parade Grounds to participate in the Telangana Formation Day before heading to the State Secretariat to formally take charge as the Chief Minister.
At the Secretariat, the employees rolled out the red carpet for KCR amid the slogans of “Jai Telangana”. KCR entered the C Block of Secretariat after offering prayers at a nearby temple. After taking charge at 12.45 pm, in the presence of senior party leaders and family members, KCR chaired the first meeting of his Cabinet and approved the new logo of Telangana State.
In his address to the Telangana people, KCR assured that eradicating political corruption and providing a transparent Government will be one of his priorities.KCR promised cordial relations both with the Centre and neighbouring States. Though KCR had not invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his swearing-in, the latter extended his greetings to KCR and people of Telangana through social media.
“Congrats to K Chandrashekar Rao Garu on taking oath as Telangana’s 1st CM. My best wishes to people for the State’s development”, a tweet on Modi’s handle said.Another highlight of KCR’s address was the promise to set up Advisory Council comprising eminent people from various sectors -- including the editors to guide the new Government.The Chief Minister assured an early implementation of his promise to the farmers to waive farm loans up to Rs 1,00,000. Describing the soil of Telangana as most suitable for growing seeds, KCR said Telangana will be developed into “seed bowl of India”.
Recalling TRS’ election promise of welfare, KCR said, “In the next five years, the TRS Government will spend Rs 1 lakh crore for the welfare on SCs, STs, Backward Classes and minorities. Of this, Rs 50,000 crore will be spent on SC welfare alone.” He also promised not allow a single rupee corruption in spending the welfare funds.laying emphasis on making Hyderabad safe and secure, he said that 10,000 CCTV cameras will be installed across the city to put an international standard surveillance system in place.
“Hyderabad city has got international recognition. We will make it a world-class city with law and order as top priority,” KCR said, adding that the Government would be very firm in matters of law and order and would spare none, particularly in cases of atrocities against women.Underlining his special concern for the Government employees, KCR said that his Government would be employee-friendly and treat them as partners in progress. He announced a special Telangana increment for them and salaries at par with Central Government employees.
KCR has allocated the portfolios to the 11 Ministers. While N Narasimha Reddy, who is not a member of Assembly will hold the key Home portfolio while E Rajinder, a Dalit leader and former party floor leader in the State Assembly will be the Minister for Finance and Civil Supplies. Mahmood Ali, the lone Minister from minority community, will be Minister for Revenue.
KCR’s son K Taraka Rama Rao is the Minister for Information Technology and Panchayat Raj and nephew T Harish Rao is the Minister for Major Irrigation and legislative Affairs.Other Ministers include Pocharam Srinivas Reddy (Agriculture) T Rajaiah (Health) T Padma Rao (Excise), Mahinder Reddy (Transport), Jagdish Reddy (Education), Jogu Ramanna (Forest and Environment).
Meanwhile, 1982-batch officer Rajiv Sharma took over as the Chief Secretary of Telangana and while senior IPS officer Anurag Sharma has taken the charge as the first Director General of Police of Telangana. He was the police Commissioner of Hyderabad till now. Mahinder Reddy, the head Of State intelligence till now, has taken charge as the city police commissioner. Rajiv Sharma was the joint secretary in Union Home Ministry but his service has been reverted back to the parent State.