Hyderabad, Aug 17 (IANS): The Telangana government on Monday launched 'Grama Jyothi', a new scheme for empowering villages.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao formally launched the scheme at Gangadevipally, a village in Warangal district.

The state government plans to spend Rs.25,000 crore for the development of villages over the next four years under this ambitious project.

Different ministers and officials simultaneously launched the programme in other districts.

Grama Jyothi is aimed at strengthening villages in areas like water and sanitation, health and nutrition, education, social security and poverty eradication, natural resources management, agriculture and infrastructure.

It will ensure inclusive and holistic development of villages through people's participation in planning and collective decision-making.

Officials said the development would be achieved through transparency, accountability and incentivsation.

Addressing a public meeting at Gangadevipally, the chief minister said the model village had proved what people could achieve by working together for the development of their village.

He announced Rs.10 crore for undertaking various development programmes in the village.

The chief minister said the scheme would strengthen panchayat raj system as gram panchayats would formulate development plans.

Each village will be allocated Rs.2 crore to Rs.6 crore depending on their population.