The Telangana Cabinet headed by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday announced the formation of a cabinet sub-committee to study the implications of introducing Viksit Bharat – Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Guarantee (GRAMG) (VB-GRAMG) to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) with effect from July 1.
The committee, comprising ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Tummala Nageswara Rao, G Vivek Venkataswamy and D Sithaka, will study developments in other states, assess the financial burden on Telangana and recommend the future course of action for the state with regard to the proposed reforms.
“The Cabinet has expressed concern that some of the proposed changes could reduce employment opportunities and increase financial liabilities on the states. The sub-committee will consult stakeholders and submit its recommendations soon,” Uttam Kumar Reddy, who holds the irrigation and civil supplies portfolio, told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet expressed concern over the shortage of fertilizers supplied by the Center to Telangana. “The Center has confirmed monthly allocations of about two million metric tons of urea but has not supplied the committed quantities in the past few months,” the minister said.
The Cabinet decided to ask the Center to allocate 100% of the amount of urea produced at the Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (RFCL) plant in Peddapalli district, instead of transporting it to distant states.
“Allocation of locally produced fertilizers to Telangana farmers would reduce transportation costs and prevent shortages during the critical agricultural season,” the minister said.
The Cabinet has decided to formally launch the distribution of investment support to farmers under the Rythu Bharosa scheme for the upcoming kharif season. The Farmers’ Conference (Rythu Sammelanam) will be held at Madera in Khammam district on June 30, where the Prime Minister will directly deposit the amount into the bank accounts of farmers across Telangana from the same platform.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Cabinet also approved continued state government bounty for seven popular premium rice varieties grown by Telangana farmers. The decision was made based on market demand and consumer preferences. The bonus will be applicable only on BPT-5204, RNR-15048, HMT Sona, Jai Sriram, KNM-1638, WGL-44 and KNM-7715 items.
“These varieties account for approximately 83% of the quality rice grown in the state and enjoy strong market demand even outside the government procurement system,” he said.
The Cabinet discussed the ongoing drought across the state despite the onset of monsoon. In light of weather forecasts indicating less rain than usual and the possibility of drought periods, the Council of Ministers appealed to farmers not to rush to plant immediately after the first rains.
“The government advises farmers to follow the guidelines of agriculture department officials and ensure adequate soil moisture before sowing. Generally, at least two periods of about 7 mm rainfall will be necessary to create suitable moisture conditions for germination and establishment of crops. Farmers are urged to avoid early sowing which can lead to crop losses if drought periods are followed,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.
The Cabinet also decided to urge the Center to expedite the approvals required for the expansion of the second phase of the Hyderabad Metro. The government sought immediate sanction on the proposed loan through the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) and appealed to Union ministers and BJP MPs from Telangana to support the project in the larger interest of Hyderabad passengers.
The Cabinet expressed concern over inadequate procurement of crops grown in Telangana by central agencies. While the state procured large quantities of rice and procured about 1.5 million metric tons of maize, they noted that central agencies were not procuring crops to the extent expected under the minimum support price framework.
The Cabinet asked the Center to ensure procurement through agencies like Food Corporation of India (FCI) for rice, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) for cotton, and National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Marketing (NAFED) for other crops.
The state government announced that ministers and MPs from Telangana will soon visit New Delhi to press the Center on procurement issues.
