Hyderabad: The Telangana State Cabinet, which met for nearly six hours on Monday, did not make any formal announcement regarding the disbursal of Rythu Bharosa financial assistance this season, disappointing farmers across the State. The Cabinet, however, confirmed that the State Budget session will commence from March 16.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said that after the Governor’s address on March 16, Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka will present the annual Budget on March 20. No announcement was made regarding the conduct of ZPTC and MPTC elections.
Telangana Govt to Take Over Hyderabad Metro Rail
In a major decision, the State government approved the complete takeover of Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited, covering 69 km, from L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited. The takeover process is expected to be completed by March 31.
The government will pay ₹15,000 crore, including the debt component, to L&T for acquiring Phase I operations.
According to the Minister, L&T management expressed its inability to execute Metro Phase II and III expansion works. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Cabinet colleagues decided to involve the Central government in implementing Phase II and III under a joint venture model. The expansion proposals have already been submitted to the Centre.
Major Infrastructure and Water Projects Approved
The Cabinet also cleared several infrastructure and urban development projects:
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₹722 crore for modernisation of the Manjira Water Supply Scheme (Phase I & II) in Greater Hyderabad.
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₹282 crore for Osman Sagar pipeline modernisation under the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
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CRMP Phase II road development covering 300 km in Greater Hyderabad, in addition to 744 km completed under Phase I.
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Transfer of 223 acres to TGIIC for a multimodal logistics and food processing park at Koheda.
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Construction of a greenfield mini stadium on five acres in Bhadrachalam.
New Insurance and Cashless Health Schemes for Govt Employees
The State government announced two major welfare schemes:
Employees’ Accident Insurance Scheme
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₹1.2 crore coverage in case of accidental death.
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₹10 lakh term insurance for natural death up to 60 years of age.
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Covers 7.57 lakh employees and pensioners.
Cashless Employee Health Scheme
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Covers 3.56 lakh employees, 2.88 lakh pensioners, and their dependent family members (total 17.07 lakh beneficiaries).
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Applicable in all government hospitals and 652 empanelled private hospitals.
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Covers 1,998 medical treatments.
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Digital health employee cards to be issued.
Other Key Cabinet Decisions
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70 acres allotted for construction of a JNTU College at Gummaduru in Mulugu district.
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20 acres allotted to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for a temple in Khammam.
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Vaidya Vidhana Parishad upgraded to Directorate of Secondary Health.
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Four villages in Vikarabad to be merged with HMDA.
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153 acres to be alienated in exchange for 42 acres of defence land for elevated corridor works.
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Census 2027 first phase (House Listing Operations) scheduled from May 11 to June 9, with the second phase in February 2027.
While several major infrastructure and welfare measures were approved, the absence of clarity on Rythu Bharosa payments remains a key concern for farmers awaiting seasonal financial support.
