Hyderabad|India|August'2009: Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has reiterated his commitment to complete all the ongoing programmes and projects with inspiration from the freedom struggle.

The Chief Minister, who discussed the issues to be focussed in his Independence Day speech with officials concerned, observed that he was privileged to lead the state on the path of progress for a second successive term. While rededicating himself to the welfare of all sections of people, he said his government was determined to complete all the ongoing schemes and projects within the scheduled time. “We know the state is feeling the heat of global economic meltdown. But we have the commitment to complete the task; so, funds should not be a problem,” he said.

Dr. Reddy said the State Government was fully geared up to implement all priority schemes like free power to farmers, Rs.2-a-kg rice scheme, Social Security Pensions, Housing for Poor and low income, Abhayahastham, Aarogyasri and fee reimbursements for SCs, STs, BCs, Minorities, EBCs. “We have also taken up the ambitious programme of providing piped gas supply to every household in the state, beginning with the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Piped Gas supply at Rs.200 per Cylinder to every household in a phased manner in the State is my dream, the Chief Minister said. The process has been initiated and we are confident of achieving the target within the time schedule,” he said.

Stating that he was inspired by the spirit of freedom fighters and sacrifices made to secure independence, the Chief Minister said the government would show the same spirit in implementing welfare and developmental schemes for the all-round prosperity of the people.

The Chief Minister wanted positive thinking among people, particularly the youth. Recalling the message of former President Dr.Abdul Kalam, the Chief Minister said there was nothing that the government could not achieve if we had courage, conviction, concern and compassion.

He also wanted the officials to compare the achievements of the state in the last 60 years with that of last 5 years. “More than anybody else, I know the pulse of my people. I know their problems and concerns. I am conscious about them. Even when I eat and rest, I think of the people and their problems and how to make them happier and satisfied. I will not rest till I achieve my ultimate aim of seeing smile on everyone's face,” he said.

Stating that the government had allocated enough funds for Jalayagnam, the flagship programme of the state government, the Chief Minister instructed the Finance Department to release the necessary funds every month, for the ongoing irrigation programmes. He said he would not tolerate any slow down of the programme and on the other hand he wanted the irrigation officials to complete all the projects on a war footing, within 4 to 5 years.

The ultimate aim of the State Government is to achieve additional Irrigation potential for more than one crore 30 lakh acres in future, ensuring food security on the one hand and rapid economic development on other.

The Chief Minister said sustainable growth in agriculture continued to be the core agenda for both the central as well as state governments. Agriculture and its allied sectors remained the mainstay for a sizable chunk of the State population in general and its labour force in particular. Achieving a growth in excess of 4 per cent in the agriculture sector during the 11th Plan appears possible only if the farm incomes improve substantially and excess labour in this sector could be shown an alternative yet profitable employment opportunities in the non-farm rural sector, he said.