Provision of 24- hour power supply to industries and homes, developing Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati as mega cities and a Cabinet sub committee to go into misuse of public money were some of the important decisions taken by the Çhandrababu Naidu Government’s first Cabinet meeting here on Thursday.
The Cabinet ratified all the five announcements made by the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu during his swearing-in near Vijayawada on June 8. These include loan waiver for farmers, women members of SHGs and weavers, increasing the retirement age from 58 to 60, NTR Sujala Sravanti project aimed at supply drinking water at subsidized rate and hike in pension for widows, aged and physically challenged from October 2 and closure of belt shops.
Departing from tradition, the Cabinet meeting was held in Visakhapatnam, as Mr. Naidu is keen to send a message that he was giving equal importance to all regions. Significantly, the meeting was held at a hall in Andhra University campus where the first Andhra Assembly session took place in 1954.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Mr. Naidu said he was aware of the limitations of his Government but would fulfill all the promises he made as it was the responsibility of the Government to help the people in distress.
The Government was committed to turning the state into a power surplus state to ensure 24 hour quality power to industries and homes and seven hours quality power to agriculture sector. The power to farm sector would be hiked to 9 hours later, he said.
Two cabinet sub committees would be constituted, one for studying ways to prevent corruption and another to shore up revenue, he said. For instance if the ongoing LNG storage project at Gangavaram Port is completed the Government could get an additional Rs 3000 crore per annum from levying VAT.
Taking stock of the situation arising out of bifurcation he promised to push up growth rate with the support of Narendra Modi-led NDA Government at the Centre. The State had a deficit budget of Rs.15,900 crore and emphasised the need for fiscal prudence. “I do not want any favour from Centre but ensure a level playing field”.
The Government would take steps to develop Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati as mega cities and all 14 corporation cities in the State would be developed as smart cities in line with the promise of the NDA Government, he said.
Pointing out that the development of the new capital would require massive investment, he urged everyone to contribute their mite to it. He called upon everyone to contribute at least one brick or its cost. Those interested in donating could donate it to ‘AP New Capital Development Fund/ CM Relief Fund’ and the donor could get a 100 per cent tax exemption.
