Hyderabad, April 17: In view of the byelections in Kadapa, the state government has decided not to issue permanent ration cards for 5.7 lakh beneficiaries who received ration coupons for three months instead of ration cards during the Rachabanda programme.
The officials felt that issuing ration cards might amount to violation of election code of conduct and decided to issue coupons for the beneficiaries for another six months.
The state Cabinet which met here today took a decision to this effect and directed the officials concerned to issue ration coupons immediately for six months with effect from April.
Further, chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy directed the officials to complete the verification of 32 lakh applications received during Rachabanda programme seeking ration cards by this month end.
The Cabinet subcommittee on the Prajapatham has been asked to finalise the modalities and schedule the programme for next month. Drinking water supply, public distribution system, power supply and employment generation will be the thrust areas during the Prajapatham programme.
During the Cabinet meeting, the officials were asked to concentrate on subjects which would be taken up in the Prajapatham programme and make necessary arrangements to ensure that there are no complaints in this regard.
The verification of about 12 lakh applications received during Rachanbanda programme is nearing completion and about four lakh eligible persons will receive pensions certificates during Prajapatham. A proposal was approved to provide basic amenities like toilets, drainage and drinking water to about 40,000 schools in the state this year.
As per the recommendations of the Andhra Pradesh Backward Classes Commission, a decision has been taken to include Budubunjala, Kurmi, Aasadula, Gudiya and Keuta castes among backward classes. The Cabinet has also approved setting up of two Andhra Pradesh Special Police (APSP) battalions at Visakhapatnam and Karimnagar with 932 posts each, ranging from Commandant to constables.
Other decisions include sanctioning of 433 new posts in Treasury and Accounts department, 90 new posts in Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board and 31 new posts in Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University. The government will incur a recurring expenditure of about Rs 15 crore per year in this regard.
–Agencies