HYDERABAD: Free water, power, waiver of motor vehicle tax and linking Godavari and Musi are among major promises made by Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in its election manifesto for the forthcoming Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) polls.
Showering sops ahead of the December 1 polls, TRS announced it would provide free water supply up to 20,000 litres per household from December if voted to power again. In addition to that, the party said it would provide free power to hair salons, laundries and dhobi ghats from December and waive motor vehicle tax on transport vehicles for six months between April and September, 2020.
Union minister of state for home affairs G Kishan Reddy termed the TRS manifesto as an old wine in a new bottle.
He said the ruling party’s manifesto was not feasible and added many old promises had been repeated in the latest manifesto. “Promises like free power to hair saloons and dhobi ghats are old promises. There is a lot of difference in promises being made and action taken,” he said.
TRS president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao released the manifesto on Monday. “About 97% of the people in the city will benefit with the free water supply from December. Those who consume more than 20k litres a month have to pay bills,” Chandrasekhar Rao said.
While the state government has already been providing subsidised power for hair salons, it now announced free power to laundries across the state. The CM said it would benefit backward classes. Coming to the rescue of industrial units and commercial establishments, the TRS chief said it would waive minimum power demand bill for a period of six months from April to September as the commercial shops and industries suffered due to coronavirus-enforced shutdown.
Transport sector too was hit with Covid-19 and subsequent lockdown, KCR said, adding motor vehicle tax would be waived for six months from April to September, claiming over 3.30 lakh would get benefit of about Rs 267 crore.
On the request of Tollywood film personalities and exhibitors, the CM said the state government would relax restrictions on number of shows a day and increase film ticket rates on the lines of Maharasthra, Karnataka and Delhi. “The state government has been collecting 9% (total 18% GST) on film productions. Now, films produced with a budget of less than 10 crore can get refund of state GST,” KCR said. He said the government would allow the cinemas to open immediately and they would take a call when to reopen them.
In the wake of recent floods which created havoc in the city, the chief minister said the government would come up with a comprehensive sewerage plan and storm water network at a cost of 13,000 crore and 12,000 crore respectively.
“Musi river will be rejuvenated like Thames in London. Godavari and Musi river will will be linked to make it live,” KCR said, adding boating and other recreational facilities would be created.