The State government has resolved to continue payment of bonus of ₹500 a quintal to farmers opting for cultivation of the seven varieties of paddy (fine rice) prescribed by it.

The bonus will be in addition to the assured minimum support price for the produce. Farmers opting for cultivation of these varieties should register themselves with the Agriculture department so that bonus could be credited to their accounts. The State Cabinet which met here on Friday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy decided to continue the scheme for the current Vaanakalam (kharif) season.

The decision follows the bumper harvest in Yasangi (rabi) season last year when the State procured 81.16 lakh metric tonne of paddy from farmers. The Central Government had purchased 63.62 lakh metric tonnes from the State leaving balance of 17.54 lakh metric tonnes with the State. “The Cabinet has decided to conduct e-auction with MSP as base price to dispose of the remaining quantity,” Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said.

Petrol/diesel autos to be converted to electric vehicles with ₹1.5 lakh subsidy

The Cabinet discussed about the prevalence of autorickshaws running on diesel and petrol continuing to contribute to pollution levels. It was accordingly decided to enable retrofitting of battery operated equipment to 18,766 autorickshaws operating in the CURE (Core Urban Region Economy) region. The Cabinet had decided to facilitate ₹1.5 lakh each as subsidy for conversion of the autorickshaws to electric mode.

CM to launch distribution of smart ration cards tomorrow

The Cabinet had ratified the decision to distribute smart food security (ration) cards equipped with host of security features to eligible beneficiaries. The Chief Minister would formally launch the programme distributing over 1.04 crore ration cards covering 3.4 crore beneficiaries to mark Independence Day celebrations on Saturday. The district and in-charge Ministers were directed to take up distribution of the smart ration cards in their respective jurisdictions simultaneously. “There were 2.8 crore beneficiaries in the past. The number has been increased by 62 lakh after due verification,” the Minister said.

Global Summit with Telangana Invest as theme

The Cabinet had decided to conduct the second edition of the global investor summit with the theme ‘Telangana Invest’ from December 7 to 9. A Cabinet sub-committee chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka had been constituted to oversee the arrangements for the summit to ensure its success.

The Cabinet panel, comprising Ministers D. Sridhar Babu, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and G. Vivek Venkatswamy as members, had been entrusted the responsibility of focussing on showcasing the potential offered in defence, aerospace and pharma sectors so that more investments would follow into them.

Administrative sanction of ₹2,100 cr for Makthal-Kodangal-Narayanpet lift scheme

The State Council of Minister discussed about the status of the Makthal-Kodangal-Narayanpet lift irrigation scheme and gave administrative section for ₹2,100 crore for speeding up the works. It was also decided to enhance the capacity of Gudemdoddi pumped storage project from 1.5 tmcft to 15 tmcft besides appointing a consultant to study the project.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay said he has handed over his son Bandi Bageerath for police inquiry through advocates with respect for the law.

In a statement issued late on Saturday (May 16) evening, Mr. Sanjay said: “All are equal before the law. All should abide by the rule of law.”

“My son is repeatedly claiming innocence,” Mr. Sanjay said, referring to the POCSO case registered against Mr. Bageerath at Petbasheerabad police station in Hyderabad.

“In fact, I thought of handing him over at the police station soon after a complaint was lodged. We consulted lawyers and produced the evidence with us before them. The lawyers, after examining them, said that the case will be quashed and bail will be granted. As a result, a slight delay occurred,” Mr. Sanjay said.

He further said, “Even today, the lawyers are saying bail will be granted. However, I thought it was not proper to further delay things. Hence, I handed over my son to the police through the lawyers for an inquiry.”

“I have full faith in the judiciary,” Mr. Sanjay added.