Telangana Cabinet Takes Key Decisions on Ration Cards, Investments, Agriculture and Irrigation

The Telangana Cabinet has approved a series of key decisions covering food security, agriculture, investments, education, clean mobility and irrigation. As part of the Independence Day celebrations, the government will distribute smart ration cards to beneficiaries across the state. The number of ration beneficiaries has risen from 2.81 crore to 3.42 crore, following the issue of new cards and inclusion of additional family members.

The Cabinet decided to conduct Telangana Rising Global Summit 2.0 on December 7, 8 and 9, under the theme ‘Invest Telangana’. A sub-committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and Ministers Sridhar Babu, Uttam Kumar Reddy and Vivek Venkataswamy will oversee preparations. The summit will showcase the Future City plan, investment opportunities in defence, aerospace and pharmaceuticals, besides exhibitions featuring startups, industrial achievements and innovations.

For the kharif season, the government will promote seven varieties of fine paddy and provide a ₹500-per-quintal bonus only for these varieties. Awareness programmes will be conducted through gram panchayats and Rythu Vedikas.

The Cabinet said Telangana had procured 81.16 lakh metric tonnes of rabi paddy at MSP. While the Centre will procure 63.62 lakh tonnes, the remaining 17.54 lakh tonnes will be sold through e-auction at a base price of ₹2,389 per quintal.

In skill development, ITIs, ATCs and polytechnic colleges will be brought under the Young India Skills University. Integrated residential schools were also approved in Adilabad, Nirmal, Mudhole, Boath, Sirpur, Gajwel and Dubbaka, taking the total number of approved school complexes to 86.

The Cabinet cleared the ₹200-crore Telangana Auto Rickshaw Electric Conversion Scheme to convert 18,766 petrol and diesel autos in Hyderabad into electric vehicles. Eligible drivers will receive subsidies of up to ₹1.50 lakh per vehicle.

It also extended the HILT policy application deadline for relocating polluting industries to October 31. Phase-II of the Makthal-Narayanpet-Kodangal lift irrigation project received approval for ₹2,100 crore, aimed at supplying water to one lakh acres as well as meeting drinking and industrial needs.

The Cabinet further approved increasing the Gudemdoddi pumped storage project capacity from 1.19 TMC to 15 TMC and appointing a consultant to study solar power generation opportunities.