Hyderabad: The state cabinet is scheduled to meet on Jan 4 to address several key issues that will have a significant impact on Telangana’s agricultural and welfare policies. Chief among the topics to be discussed are the eligibility criteria for the Rythu Bharosa financial assistance scheme for farmers and the issuance of new ration cards to approximately 10 lakh individuals, with plans to roll out these initiatives after the Sankranti festival.
Officials from various departments have already begun preparing notes for submission. The cabinet meeting, initially slated for Dec 30, was postponed due to the mourning period following the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh.
Other important matters likely to be discussed include the allocation of 12,000 in financial support to landless agricultural labourers, updates on the caste census, and plans for fixing reservations for Backward Classes in local bodies, as well as the critical issue of panchayat elections, especially given the pending central funds.
In official discussions, there has been talk of increasing the maximum annual income limit for eligibility to obtain a ration card. However, the final decision will be taken by the cabinet. This is particularly important as the state govt has decided to supply fine variety rice through fair price shops starting from Ugadi. The current number of ration cards in the state exceeds 89 lakh, and this number could reach one crore if new ration cards are issued.
Additionally, the state govt is finalising the financial arrangements needed to extend the Rythu Bharosa scheme, which offers 15,000 per annum per acre to farmers, after Sankranti. Revanth had previously announced that this scheme, a key election promise of the Congress, would be launched after the festival.
Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka has also announced that the govt will begin implementing the 12,000 financial support scheme for landless agricultural labourers in the new year.
Another pressing issue is that the centre has halted the release of funds to gram panchayats in the state. According to regulations, it is mandatory to have elected bodies in place in panchayats to receive central funds. Given this situation, cabinet is expected to discuss the BC reservations in local bodies and the conduct of gram panchayat polls.