The Telangana State Cabinet, which started 45 minutes behind schedule this afternoon today approved to give fillip to irrigation projects with redesigning besides agreeing SC, ST Sub plan with needed amendment. The Cabinet also approved the Sudhir Commission report for Minorities reservations (from 4% to 12%) and Chellappa Commission for ST (from 6% to 12%) reservations.
The Sub-Plan, after the amendment will make more financial allocations in the coming budget to SCs and STs towards their empowerment. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who chaired the Cabinet meeting, asked his colleagues to go through the details of Central budget cautiously and come up with allocations for their respective departments. The Cabinet also agreed to take Rs 7860 crore loan from Andhra Bank for Kaleshwaram project.
After the Cabinet meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari told mediapersons that the Cabinet has approved SC, ST Sub Plan with necessary amendment and make projects redesigning for more withdrawal of waters by speeding up the works. Godavari waters will be used by increasing Devadula project capacity to 60 TMC from 38 TMC and spend Rs 1100 crore to take up its third phase of works. The Cabinet, which focused on various issues pertaining to the State budget, irrigation projects, welfare, Mission Bhagiratha and that of Central one, has taken a decision to construct a barrage at Tupakulagudem across Godavari. As part of Kaleshwaram lift, it was decided to construct reservoirs to increase capacity at Mallanna Sagar, Konda Pochamma Sagar, Gandhamalla and Baswapur, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also said the Cabinet gave green signal to upgrade posts of 2,487 language pundits, 1047 PETs as School Assistants and to fill 480 posts for Mission Bhagriatha scheme. The Cabinet has decided to construct a multi-purpose reservoir of 10 TMC at Malkapur near Station Ghanpur to cater to the needs of drinking and irrigation waters in Warangal district. (NSS)