Hyderabad: The Telangana Government has sought grants-in-aid to the tune of Rs. 209.51 billion from the 14th Finance Commission that was in Hyderabad last week as part of its visits to States to make recommendations to the Centre on various financial aspects in a federal set up.
A memorandum submitted by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to Commission chairman Y V Reddy showed that water sector management and development of water grid occupied the top-most priority of the government.
A grant of Rs 77 billion was sought for the sector. Maintenance of forest (Rs 10.46 billion), elementary education (Rs 13.27 billion), maintenance of roads and bridges (Rs 10 billion), power sector - segregation of agriculture feeders (Rs 13.16 billion), strengthening of police department (Rs 16.92 billion) and strengthening of information technology (Rs 10.91 billion) were the other priorities listed out by the government.
Significantly, the memorandum pointed out that the migrant population to the State in the 2011 census stood at 6188,000, including 3714,000 from the present day Andhra Pradesh and 2473,000 from other States. The total population of the State was 35.2 million. The population may be taken into account for tax devolution and grants-in-aid.
