The State Cabinet on Wednesday approved the draft Capital Regional Development Authority (CRDA) Bill with four changes. The Bill will be tabled in the Assembly on December 19.
Besides giving nod to the changes in CRDA Bill, the meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also discussed the Debt Redemption Scheme and the strategy to be adopted in the Assembly.
The Cabinet approved transfer of assets and liabilities of Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali-Mangalagiri Urban Development Authority to the CRDA. The Chief Minister will be chairman of the 14-member CRDA and the Municipal Administration Minister vice chairman. The CRDA will have Rs. 1000 crore as development fund and Rs. 250 crore as working capital. A detailed master plan for the capital region will be ready in six months.
Retirement age for teachersIt is learnt that the Cabinet also approved increase in retirement age of teachers in aided colleges from 58 years to 60 years and from 60 years to 62 years in the universities. Another important decision taken by the Cabinet is to allow intra-State sale of paddy and also allow export to other States if farmers themselves pay Central Sales Tax.
The Cabinet which discussed various issues during the four-hour meeting approved proposals to fill 4,000 field assistant posts under MNREGA and 6,000 posts in Panchayat Raj departments. Nod was also given to make changes in the Forest Act to enhance the fine and imprisonment terms for red sanders smuggling.
Another proposal to create e-marketing facility to sell agriculture products online was also cleared. It was also decided to fill agricultural marketing committees through nominations while limiting the number of members to 19 and restricting the term to one year.
The Cabinet decided to reduce VAT from 16 per cent to two percent on aviation turbine fuel. This would result in a loss of Rs. 25 crore to the exchequer per year.
