Deputy CM wants planning in advance for Sammakka Saralamma and Godavari Pushkarams

Deputy Chief Minister directs officials to plan for tribal festival and river event, emphasizing permanent solutions and revenue generation.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has directed the officials of the Endowments department to prepare plans for smooth conduct of the tribal festival Sammakka Saralamma Jatara and Pushkarams to Godavari river — the two prestigious events of Telangana — well in advance.

Plans should be prepared with adequate care to ensure that works launched with huge amounts are taken up on a permanent basis so that they cater to the needs of the pilgrims in the future too, he said.

The deputy chief minister accompanied by Endowments Minister Konda Surekka conducted a pre-budget meeting of Endowments, Forests and Environment departments on Tuesday. He instructed the Forest department officials to intensify efforts to attract visitors from across the country to the tiger reserves in the State while directing them to take steps to create urban parks around the State Capital enabling IT professionals to relax in the weekends. This would in turn generate revenues to the departments concerned.

Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka wanted the Archaeology department to take up renovation and restoration of old temples which could help in attracting pilgrims and thereby generate revenue. The Ministers discussed about the master plans for restoration and renovation of six major temples.

They expressed concern that lack of coordination between the Revenue and Forest departments was leading to problems for tribals who were cultivating podu lands after being given the pattas. It was accordingly decided to conduct a meeting of the concerned departments to resolve these issues as also issues like enhancing forest cover and promoting use of solar pumpsets by tribes. They directed the officials concerned to enhance the green cover by extensive utilisation of the CAMPA (compensatory afforestation fund management and planning authority) funds. They also directed them to take steps to utilise the rural employment guarantee scheme for construction of checkdams and related works.