State Cabinet failed to arrive at a conclusion on the type of new excise policy to be implemented in the State after divergent views were expressed by the Ministers at the meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Replying to queries from reporters at a briefing later, Public Relations Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy admitted that different views were expressed at the meeting where the issue was discussed threadbare. He said while some favoured replicating Tamil Nadu policy where the government runs the retail shops, the others wanted the existing Andhra Pradesh policy to be tweaked and implemented.
He said the issue would be discussed again and a decision would be taken to implement a policy that would be beneficial to the people. He said Chief Minister had emphasised that people’s health was more important than revenue to the government.
Mr. Reddy said the policies being implemented in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were discussed in detail.
He said the State government was in favour of running the retail shops as it would curb corruption, illicit liquor, role of “mafia” and the operation of belt shops.
Mr. Reddy said AP Marketing Policy 2015 was approved by the Cabinet with a view to ensuring that farmers benefit and get higher prices for their produce. Among others it seeks to promote online payment to farmers, provide e-permit to transport commodities, issue trading licenses, encourage private markets and introduce policy on the lines of Karnataka initiative. Electronic e-platform in 10 market yards would be introduced.
He said while there were 14,469 licensed traders only 4,362 were doing trade.
The Cabinet also cleared Fodder Security Policy and decided to allocate Rs.250 crore for measures to increase fodder cultivation. The aim was to turn the State fodder surplus in five years. The livestock population in the State was 141.84 lakh and the fodder being grown was 255 lakh metric tonnes.
He said fodder banks would be established in Anantapur, Chittoor and Kadapa districts to stock 10,000 metric tonnes of fodder. He said prizes would be given for the best district, mandal and village for fodder cultivation each year. Regarding Water Users Association, the Cabinet decided to do away with elections and instead allow farmers to nominate the presidents and committee to the respective associations through consultation.
Mr. Reddy said Cabinet also approved a proposal to extend financial assistance to Christians going on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and other religious places on the lines being extended to Muslims for Haj pilgrimage. He said an amount of Rs.50 lakh was allotted for the purpose and five batches of 50 members each would be sent to Jerusalem.
The government also decided to allot 300 square yards of house site to noted journalist Turlapati Kutumba Rao at Eedupugallu in Vijayawada.
