Telangana: Exercises on budget allocations for forest and endowment departments in the presence of Deputy CM
Special measures for the development of temple tourism in Telangana:
Mr. Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Deputy Chief Minister said that besides taking special measures for the development of temple tourism in the state, steps should be taken to construct cottages for the convenience of temple visitors in vacant temple lands. On Tuesday, a pre-review meeting of budget estimates was held in Dr. BR Ambedkar’s secretariat under his chairmanship regarding the Environment and forest, Endowment departments.
Minister of Environment, Forest and Endowment Ms. Konda Surekha, Special Principal Secretary of Finance Department Mr. Ramakrishna Rao, Special Principal Secretary of Endowments Department Mr. Sunil Sharma, Principal Secretary of Environment and Forest Department Ms. Vani Prasad, Endowments Commissioner Mr. Anil Kumar, PCCF (HoFF) Mr. R.M. Dobriyal and other senior officials attended this meeting.
On this occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said that there is a wide scope for the development of temple tourism in the state of Telangana, which has many famous temples and shrines, and steps should be taken to ensure that more and more devotees from other states visit the temple.
It has been suggested to simplify the scheme of providing financial assistance to temples which do not have much income. The Deputy Chief Minister suggested to establish temple tourism and eco-tourism along with the forest department. He ordered that plans be made and implemented to invite domestic and foreign tourists in connection with tribal fairs like Nagoba and Medaram in the state.
The deputy CM said that besides giving utmost priority to the conservation of forest wealth and wildlife in the state, Ayurvedic medicinal plantations should be taken up in the agency and forest lands to bring financial benefit to the tribals.
He said that the AYUSH department and Ayurvedic medicine companies in the state should coordinate with the marketing regarding these medicinal plantations. Bhatti Vikramarka said that safari and eco-tourism in forest areas are well received by city dwellers and such tourism development projects should be prioritized. They want to set up solar power units for various purposes in forest areas.
Telangana devotees should be given priority in Tirumala: Endowment Minister Konda Surekha
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Konda Surekha said that along with the protection of God’s shrines in the state as well as in other states, we are giving utmost priority to reclaim the alienated lands. Although Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam is mostly visited by devotees from Telangana and generates substantial financial resources, the Deputy Chief Minister was asked to ensure that Telangana devotees are also given priority in Tirumala.
A proposed budget should be allocated to the Forest and Endowment departments
The compensation to the families of those killed in wild animal attacks is Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. On this occasion, Minister Konda Surekha reminded that his government has increased it to 10 lakh. She said that the Biodiversity Management Committees in the state will be reconstituted. Minister Konda Surekha appealed to the Deputy CM to generously allocate the proposed budget funds in relation to the Forest and Endowment departments.
