The Election Commission (EC) has denied permission for the Telangana Cabinet meeting due to the ongoing Lok Sabha election code and the Graduate MLC by-election polling. The decision has temporarily halted the scheduled cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, which was to take place on Saturday evening.
Election Code Halts Telangana Cabinet Meeting
The Election Commission has imposed a halt on the Telangana Cabinet meeting. The meeting, set to be chaired by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Saturday evening, still lacks EC approval. Consequently, CM Revanth Reddy conducted a review of the Irrigation Department at the Secretariat. This review meeting included ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy, Thummala Nageswara Rao, Konda Surekha, CM’s advisor Ven Narendra Reddy, and other senior officials. The discussions centered around the NDAS report and the Kaleshwaram project.
Pending EC Approval for Key Discussions
Without EC approval, discussions on critical topics such as AP-Telangana bifurcation issues, loan waivers, and grain procurement are on hold. The EC’s denial is attributed to the ongoing general election code and the Graduate MLC election process, which could potentially be influenced by the cabinet meeting. The Graduate MLC by-election polling for Warangal-Nalgonda-Khammam is scheduled for the 27th of this month, with Lok Sabha election results expected on June 4th, followed by MLC by-election vote counting.
Expectations for Proactive Cabinet Decisions
BRS leader and former MP Boyinapalli Vinod Kumar emphasized the importance of decisive actions by the Revanth Reddy government, now in its sixth month. He noted that the initial six months are crucial for any government, and performance during this period is often graded. Vinod Kumar pointed out that Revanth Reddy has yet to launch any flagship programs within this timeframe. He urged for significant decisions in the upcoming cabinet meeting, highlighting the success of the Rythu Bandhu scheme under the previous KCR government, which received praise nationwide and inspired similar initiatives. The scheme, aimed at providing capital investment assistance to farmers, has been lauded as a substantial relief during the initial stages of cultivation.
Immediate Action Needed on Paddy Procurement
Vinod Kumar also stressed the need for timely support to farmers. He criticized previous delays in the Rythu Bandhu disbursements and called for the immediate release of Rs. 7500 per acre in early June to ensure farmers receive timely support. This decision should be prioritized in the cabinet meeting. Furthermore, he addressed the issue of paddy procurement, especially during the monsoon season when thin-grained paddy is predominantly grown. The government’s promise of a Rs. 500 bonus per quintal only for thin-grained paddy is seen as deceptive. Vinod Kumar insisted that the bonus should be extended to all types of paddy and emphasized the necessity of purchasing wet paddy from farmers, regardless of quantity, to prevent financial losses for farmers.
Call for Comprehensive Agricultural Support
The upcoming cabinet meeting is crucial for making decisions that genuinely benefit farmers. Vinod Kumar highlighted the need for inclusive bonuses across all paddy varieties and warned against turning the bonus into a bogus promise. He stressed that the Revanth Reddy-led cabinet must take meaningful actions to support farmers, especially before the elections, to ensure their trust and votes. The government must fulfill its commitment to purchase all wet paddy, safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring their hard work does not go in vain.
Telangana Government Poised for Key Decisions Amid Election Commission Hurdles
The Telangana government is ready to make crucial decisions, but the Election Commission (EC) has thrown a wrench in the works. The government planned to hold a cabinet meeting to address pending decisions and sought the EC’s permission due to the ongoing election code. However, the EC, citing the current election code, denied the request. As a result, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has taken a significant step.
Review Meeting with Ministers
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had planned a cabinet meeting today. With both the MLC elections and the general election code in effect, the government sent a request letter to the EC for permission. While waiting for approval, the EC’s denial led Revanth Reddy to organize a review meeting with available ministers and senior officials from all departments. Scheduled for June 2nd, this meeting coincides with the 10th anniversary of the state’s reorganization. The discussions will focus on pending issues related to the reorganization act and unresolved matters between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Focus on Farmer Loan Waivers
The cabinet is expected to make significant decisions regarding assets listed in Schedules 9 and 10. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has promised to waive farmers’ loans by August 15th, requiring approximately ₹40,000 crores. The government is considering establishing a Farmers’ Corporation for this purpose. Officials have already discussed this with bankers and prepared proposals. Today’s meeting is anticipated to decide on the Farmers’ Corporation. However, with the election code in effect, the government’s response to this issue is crucial.
Directives to Officials
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will also review the progress of paddy procurement with officials. As the Kharif crop season begins in early June, discussions will include plans for seeds, fertilizers, and water management. The meeting will also address measures to increase registration charges and resource mobilization. Recently, the National Dam Safety Authority submitted an interim report on repairs to the damaged Medigadda and Annaram barrages. The recommendations from this report and the subsequent action plan will be discussed in this meeting.
In summary, the Telangana government is preparing to make important decisions amid challenges posed by the election code. The cabinet’s planned actions on reorganization issues, farmer loan waivers, and infrastructure repairs highlight the administration’s commitment to addressing critical state matters despite regulatory hurdles.