Hyderabad: Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar observed that the Municipal and Panchayat Raj Acts formulated by the Telangana Government were revolutionary as they ensure 10% percent allocation of funds towards green budget.
The act also envisages removal of elected public representatives if they fail to ensure 85 percent survival of the saplings planted. Both the acts reflect the vision of the Chief Minister to increase the green cover of the state to 33 per cent, he said.
Somesh Kumar was addressing a gathering after taking part in plantation programme organized by the HMDA as part of the 66th birthday celebrations of the Chief Minister at Sanjeeviah Park today. He planted Ponna Chettu (Caophyllum inophyllum). The passion of the Chief Minister towards Haritha Haram is an inspiration to everyone, he said.
Chief Advisor Dr. Rajiv Sharma said that every inch of vacant land, all forest blocks and other places are being covered under Haritha Haram. Over 30 crore saplings have been planted throughout the state since the formation of the state, he added.
Agriculture Secretary Janardhan Reddy said that availability of saplings is in abundance and as such there is a need to take up massive plantation programme to maintain the ecological balance.
Spl. Chief Secretary Health Shanti Kumari asked the officials to rededicate themselves to harita haram. CDMA Satyanarayana said that over 8 lakh saplings are being planted across all municipalities in the state.
GHMC Commissioner Lokesh Kumar said that saplings are being planted in all the 150 wards of the city. As many as 1.26 lakh saplings are being planted in all tourist and religious places in the city, he added.
Principal Secretary Municipal Administration Arvind Kumar presided over the meeting. Senior officers Sunil Sharma, Vikas Raj, Rajat Kumar, Ravi Gupta and staff from HMDA attended. (INN)