Key Cabinet Meet on Thursday to Discuss Metro Rail Loan Controversy, Rythu Bharosa Issues
The government is also likely to discuss the implementation of Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-II with its own resources, as the Centre is yet to approve the project as a joint venture with equal cost-sharing.
Hyderabad:The Cabinet will meet on June 18 here with the row over the Hyderabad Metro Rail takeover and disbursement of Rythu Bharosa assistance to farmers expected to dominate the agenda. The meeting to be chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is expected to deliberate on the next course of action regarding the Metro takeover and explore alternative options for securing the required `13,600 crore from other financial institutions if the Indian Rail Finance Corporation ultimately declines to extend the loan to take over the first phase of the Metro Rail.
The government is also likely to discuss the implementation of Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-II with its own resources, as the Centre is yet to approve the project as a joint venture with equal cost-sharing. Officials maintain that the takeover of Metro Phase-I cannot be completed unless the state government arranges payment of Rs 13,600 crore to L&T.
Apart from the Metro issue, ministers are expected to review the latest developments in the state and take decisions on a range of key subjects, including agriculture, irrigation projects, development programmes and implementation of various welfare schemes. Discussions are also likely on the proposed disbursement of Rythu Bharosa assistance for the ongoing kharif season and measures to ensure adequate availability of seeds and fertilisers to farmers following the onset of the monsoon.
The Cabinet meeting is also expected to consider election-related preparedness, with the GHMC, MPTC and ZPTC elections due in the coming months. Political and administrative developments in the State are also likely to come up for discussion.
The meeting will be conducted through an electronic format as part of the government's move towards e-governance. Following directions from the Chief Minister, officials are making arrangements for "e-Cabinet" meetings as part of efforts to introduce a paperless administrative system across government departments.
Meanwhile, the government is reportedly planning to deposit nearly Rs 9,000 crore into farmers' bank accounts either on June 26 or by the end of the month under the Rythu Bharosa scheme.
During the previous kharif season, the government deposited Rs 8,744 crore into the accounts of 69.4 lakh farmers in nine days, while Rs 5,653 crore was released during the recent rabi season. In rabi, Rythu Bharosa was paid only for two acres to each farmer.
Sources said the government was considering organising a massive public meeting with farmers on June 26, where the Chief Minister may formally launch the latest round of Rythu Bharosa payments. The finance department is reportedly working on mobilising the required funds, and the government is also exploring the possibility of holding similar farmers' meetings at two locations in the state.