The State Cabinet on Monday gave green signal for the conduct of local bodies elections across the State.
The cabinet had a detailed discussion on the issue when it met at the State Secretariat here on Monday evening. However, the local bodies elections are likely to be held in June. Further, the cabinet also discussed the next by-elections to be held in 18 constituencies, including Tirupati, which would fall vacant after the election of K Chiranjeevi to Rajya Sabha.
Source say that the ministers have asked Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to decided the candidates for 18 seat early to ensure that they get sufficient time for campaigning. It has also been decided to appoint constituency in-charge besides holding district review meetings on regular basis.
The cabinet also review the raids of Anti-Corruption Bureau against the liquor mafia. Some ministers felt that the liquor scam could have been avoided if the Enforcement Department of the Prohibition and Excise Department would have acted promptly. The Chief Minister reportedly remained silent while the ministers were discussing the ACB raids across the State.
According to sources, Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy raised the issue of energy crisis in the State. The cabinet has accepted his proposal of constituting a Cabinet Sub-Committee to monitor the power situation. Further, he asked the cabinet to adopt non-conventional sources of energy to reduce dependability on thermal and hydel power stations.
The cabinet also had a discussion on increase in the Value Added Tax. However, the Chief Minister reportedly told his cabinet that the VAT has been increased by the Centre and the State could not reduce it.
Marketing Minister Mukesh Goud abstained from the Cabinet meeting due to ill-health. (INN)