Hyderabad, March,09,2026: Telangana Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Seethakka reviewed budget proposals for the department during a meeting with officials at the Secretariat. The minister discussed strengthening rural governance and ensuring that central funds due to the state are fully secured.
The Seethakka Rural Development review focused on budget utilization for the current financial year and planning allocations for the upcoming year.
During the meeting, Special Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar and heads of various department divisions presented their budget proposals to the minister. Seethakka reviewed the proposals and suggested several modifications to improve implementation and prioritization of development activities.
The minister said the state government is committed to strengthening the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development system. She emphasized that improving village infrastructure, delivering better basic facilities, and strengthening the role of local representatives remain key priorities of the government.
Seethakka directed officials to ensure that all central funds due to the state are secured before the end of the current financial year. She instructed the department to take necessary steps so that no funds lapse.
The minister noted that several central funds remain pending due to decisions taken by the previous government. She asked officials to actively pursue the release of these funds, stating that the state must obtain its rightful share from the central government.
She also pointed out that Telangana contributes significantly in taxes to the central government and therefore must effectively secure the funds allocated to it. According to the minister, careful use of every rupee will help ensure uninterrupted development.
Officials were also instructed to submit required utility certificates so that pending funds from the Fifteenth Finance Commission can be released at the earliest.
Seethakka stated that the rules for the central government’s VBG Ram Ji Act, introduced in place of the employment guarantee scheme, are yet to be framed. She asked officials to prioritize budget allocations that support employment opportunities in rural areas.
The minister directed all divisions within the department to regularly prepare progress reports on their activities. She also encouraged officials to maintain strong performance across programs, noting that the state has previously received recognition for its water conservation initiatives.
During the review, the minister instructed officials to speed up the construction of Indira Mahila Shakti Bhavans across districts. She asked the department to complete the buildings in time for inauguration by June 2, which marks Telangana Formation Day.
Seethakka said the government is giving special priority to strengthening women’s self help groups and expanding employment and self employment opportunities for women.
The meeting also included a review of the Watershed Development Programme. The minister said that many tribal and agency areas have streams and water bodies, yet face drinking water and irrigation shortages during summer.
She instructed officials to construct check dams across streams and small water channels under the watershed programme to address both flooding during monsoon and water scarcity during summer.
According to the minister, the government’s overall objective is to achieve balanced development in rural infrastructure, employment generation, women’s empowerment, and public services. She reiterated that the development of villages is essential for the development of the state.
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