Cabinet decides to procure entire paddy harvest, wait for legal opinion on BC reservations

The Telangana Council of Ministers, chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, on Thursday decided to procure the entire paddy produce this year and wait for a report of the legal experts on the all-important BC reservations issue, the report is expected to be submitted within two days.

The Cabinet also took a series of decisions covering agriculture, education, infrastructure, and urban development.

Minister for Information and Public Relations Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Minister for Sports Vakati Srihari said at a press conference that the State had a record harvest of 1.48 crore metric tonnes of paddy, the highest in the country. Of this, around 80 lakh metric tonnes are expected to reach procurement centres, and the Central government has agreed to procure 50 lakh metric tonnes. The State government has decided to request an additional 15 lakh metric tonnes from the Centre. Payments, including Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the ₹500 bonus per quintal for fine varieties, will be credited directly to farmers’ bank accounts without delay.

Metro Expansion and L&T Review

Mr. Reddy said the Cabinet has decided to expedite Hyderabad Metro Phase-2. A detailed discussion was held on taking over the Phase-1 project currently being operated under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by L&T.

To study the feasibility and implications of the takeover, the government will constitute a High-Level Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary, with members including the Finance Secretary, MA&UD Secretary, Law Secretary, MD of Metro Rail, and Urban Transport Adviser. The committee’s report will be submitted to the Cabinet Sub-Committee, to be headed by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, which will make final recommendations for Cabinet approval.

Mr. Reddy said the Cabinet also approved the allocation of 435.08 acres of alternate land to the Defence department for the elevated corridor projects between Paradise Junction–Shamirpet (ORR) and Paradise Junction–Dairy Farm Road, where defence land will be utilized.

The Cabinet also approved the establishment of three new agricultural colleges under Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU). They will be set up at Huzurnagar, Kodangal, and Nizamabad, and will commence operations from the current academic year.

Praja Vijayotsavam from December 1–9

Marking two years of the ‘Praja Government’, the Cabinet decided to hold ‘Praja Palana–Praja Vijayotsavam’ celebrations across the State from December 1 to 9. A Cabinet Sub-Committee will be formed to oversee arrangements and coordinate the events.

Mr. Reddy said the Cabinet reconsidered the rule disqualifying individuals with more than two children from contesting local body elections.

NALSAR – 50% local quota

It also approved the allocation of 7 additional acres to NALSAR University of Law at its existing campus. The quota for Telangana students in NALSAR admissions will be doubled from 25% to 50%, enhancing local representation. The Cabinet sanctioned 10 acres of land for the Enkoor Market Yard in Julurupadu, Bhadradri Kothagudem district.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to construct ₹5,566 km of roads under the HAM (Hybrid Annuity Model) in the first phase, covering national highways, district headquarters, mandal centres, tourist spots, and inter-State connectivity routes.

For the Krishna–Vikarabad broad-gauge rail line, the government agreed to bear the ₹438 crore cost for 845 hectares of land acquisition. The State will also contribute one-third of the total project cost for the Mannanur–Srisailam Elevated Corridor project.