The Telangana State Cabinet has decided to reorganise the districts in order to carve out new districts in the State. The Cabinet meeting also decided to construct 60,000 two-bed room flats for the under privileged sections of society at an estimated cost of Rs 3,900 crore in the first phase.
Briefing mediapersons on Cabinet meeting decisions here Wednesday, Rao said that the average population of a district was 19 lakh in the country. But, the districts in Telangana have an average population of 35 lakh. “We have decided to reorganise the districts and carve out new districts. For this, a four-member committee headed by chief secretary will be constituted,” Rao said. Creating a new district was the election assurance of TRS, he pointed out.
Regarding the second assurance in TRS manifesto to construct two-bed room flats for the needy, Rao said the State government has decided to construct 560 sq ft flats at a cost of Rs 5.04 lakh in rural areas and Rs 5.3 lakh in urban areas including Hyderabad. The pending bills Indiramma Housing programme will be cleared soon.
The Cabinet also decided to follow reservation policy for appointment of chairpersons to 183 market committees as per the population of SC, ST and BC. Of the 183 market committees, 13 were in agency areas and they would be given to STs. Among the remaining 170 market committees, 85 committees would be reserved for various communities while the remaining 85 would be considered general. The committees for reservation would be decided through draw of lots, Rao clarified.
The Cabinet meeting approved formation of Mobile Manufacturing Cluster in the city and decided to extend exemptions as requested by the Indian Cellular Association to start mobile phone manufacturing units.
It was also decided to sanction two agricultural polytechnic colleges one each in Jammikunta and Palem and one college in Nagireddipet.
GHMC to bear RTC losses
The Cabinet also decided to provide financial support to loss making RTC city services in Hyderabad. Following the model of BEST in Mumbai, to operate transportation system for the city, the government decided to meet the annual loss of city services amounting to Rs 218 crore from GHMC. Now on, GHMC commissioner would be on the board of directors of RTC.
Rs 2,631 crore for GHMC Roads
The Cabinet approved a strategic road development plan for GHMC to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 2,631 crore. Around 20 multi level flyovers would be constructed in the city. The Cabinet ratified the decision to relax the age limit for government jobs by 10 years from the current 34 years to 44 years. Age relaxation for police recruitment and demiliterisation of police force was also under consideration, the chief minister said.
CHINA Tour
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said that he would hold discussions with industrialists in China and invite the to open their units in Hyderabad during his one week China tour from September 7. Rao said that several construction companies from China have expressed willingness to partner in the two-bed room flats scheme for the poor. “Officials at the Industries department are in touch with industrialists in China. The exact details will be disclosed after the China trip,” Rao added. He said that he would meet people in hardware industy and invite them to invest in the proposed ITIR in Hyderabad.
Assembly from Sept 23
The Cabinet decided to convene the monsoon session of the State Legislative Assembly from September 23. Replying to a query Rao said the duration of the session would be decided according to the stand of the Opposition. However, Rao said that he would announce Water Policy after his China tour and give a detailed presentation in the Assembly on the same.
Decision on Drought Relief after Sept 30
Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao said that the government will decide on steps to ensure help for drought affected farmers and seeking Central assistance for the same only after September 30. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Rao said that the government had a mechanism to work and it would not work as per the demands of the Opposition parties. “The rainy season is not over. If there are no rains till September 30 and the season ends without adequate rains, then we will think about drought relief measures. Then, the State government will prepare reports and seek assistance from Central government for drought relief,” Rao explained. Asked about the AP government decision to delete lessons refering to towering personalities from Telangana in their textbooks, Rao said: “It is a good thing. Then, the TS has so many things to delete from our State,” he quopped. The chief minister did not want to make any comments on AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s allegations against Rao in the ongoing AP Assembly session. “There are several issues. I will not speak about them now, as the focus on important decisions of the Cabinet will be diverted,” Rao concluded.
Source: The New Indian Express