KCR Cabinet ratifies new land bill, okays private varsities

​Hyderabad: Ahead of the winter session of the Assembly scheduled to begin on December 16, the Telangana government has taken a slew of crucial decisions, including ratification of the new bill on land acquisition, permission to set up private universities, and approaching the Supreme Court against the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal verdict on Krishna water sharing.

The State cabinet, which met here at the Secretariat, discussed issues like the effect of demonetisation on the State economy; problems being faced by the general public due to non-availability of enough cash, particularly small denomination notes, in banks and ATMs.

It also discussed hurdles in the implementation of digital transactions; and the proposal to launch TS Wallet to encourage digital transactions among all sections of the people as well as in the government sector.

Sources said that the new land acquisition bill would be introduced during the winter session. The act would help the government speed up the land acquisition process for irrigation projects and other public purposes.
Noticeably, GO 123, which was brought in for land procurement for the Mallanna Sagar reservoir, has come in for strong opposition from all political parties.

The opposition parties had also gone to court against the order. In view of this, the government has decided to bring in a new piece of legislation that would provide more benefits than the central enactment --- Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement act 2013.

As a way to promote higher education in the private sector, the State cabinet approved a proposal to encourage the setting up of private universities.

A Cabinet Sub- committee, headed by Education Minister Kadiam Srihari, has been constituted to prepare the modalities and the draft private universities bill.

Agriculture Minister P Srinivas Reddy, IT Minister KT Rama Rao, Energy Minister G Jagadish Reddy, Animal Husbandry Minister T Srinivas Yadav and State Chief Advisor Rajiv Sharma would be the members of the committee.

Another sub-committee, headed by KT Rama Rao, was also constituted to prepare a plan of action for the effective implementation of digital transactions in the government and private sectors.

Finance Minister E Rajendar, Energy Minister Jagadish Reddy, Transport Minister P Mahendar Reddy and Panchayat Raj Minister J Krishna Rao have been nominated as members.

As a first step, all monetary transactions in government departments would be done through e-cash system. Swiping machines would be provided in State-run RTC buses.

Considering the Brijesh Kumar tribunal verdict, under which Telangana’s plea for the redistribution of Krishna water between four states- Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh was rejected, the TS government has decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court and seek justice.

To ensure proper uitlisation of funds under SC and ST Sub Plan, the government also decided set up a separate wing in the Finance Department for regular monitoring of release of funds under the Sub Plan.