Andhra Cabinet approves several key decisions on education and local body elections

The State Cabinet has approved the amendments to the Panchayat Raj Act along with the draft Bill of the State Agriculture Council. The bill is scheduled to be introduced at the next legislative budget session. The Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy at the Secretariat on Wednesday discussed various issues for about an hour and a half. The Cabinet also discussed the proposal to provide three pairs of dresses, two pairs of shoes and books to students from 1st to 10th grade through the Jagananna Education Scheme. After the Cabinet meeting, CM Jagan left for Delhi to meet prime minister Narendra Modi.

After the Cabinet meeting, Minister of State for Information Perni Nani explained the Cabinet decisions to the media. The Cabinet approved the amendments to the Panchayat Raj Act. If a candidate is caught with alcohol and money in a local election campaign, he will be sentenced to three years in prison for disqualification. We have also shortened election campaign time for local bodies. The cabinet has decided to give seven days for the panchayat elections and five days for the MPTC judicial elections. "We have reduced the municipal election process from 21 days to 15 days, "the minister said.

The Cabinet has decided to make Sarpanch accessible to the public. AP has approved the formation of State Financial Services. "In the event of natural disasters and water scarcity, Sarpanches are empowered to make decisions without a panchayat resolution; we have delegated the responsibility of sanitation and greenery to the Sarpanch, " Nani said. He also asserted that the Tribals are only eligible to compete as ZPTC and MPTC in Scheduled Areas.

"We have decided to set up a 10,000 MW solar power project, The Center also provided several incentives for solar power, " the minister said.