Congress Cabinet defends HILTP, orders probe into Cabinet ‘leak’

The Telangana government defended the Hyderabad Industrial Lands Transformation Policy (HILTP), with Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka stating it was aimed at revenue mobilisation to meet rising expenditure from welfare programmes. Industries Minister D. Sridhar expressed concern over leaks of Cabinet decisions, promising stern action.

Hyderabad: Stung by the ongoing controversy surrounding the Hyderabad Industrial Lands Transformation Policy (HILTP), the State government on Tuesday defended the policy, claiming it was a ‘good move’ taken in the ‘better interest of all stakeholders’.

Stating that the policy was aimed at ‘revenue resource mobilisation’ Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said it was to meet the rising annual expenditure arising from several development and welfare programmes being implemented.

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“It is also the government’s responsibility to explore revenue resource mobilisation without imposing any burden on common people,” he said at a press conference after the State Cabinet met in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Interestingly, Industries Minister D Sridhar expressed displeasure at the Cabinet decision on the HILTP being ‘leaked’ to opposition parties even before the government order was issued. He said a probe would be conducted and stern action would be initiated against those responsible.

“The information leak issue has come to the government’s notice. The Cabinet also discussed the matter. Cabinet discussions should be confidential. An inquiry will be conducted into the matter and stern action will be taken,” he said.

Earlier, accompanied by Cabinet Sub Committee members, N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Sridhar Babu and Jupally Krishna Rao, Bhatti Vikramarka maintained that pressure could not be exerted on industries to relocate beyond the Outer Ring Road (ORR).

Uttam Kumar Reddy said the idea was to ensure that the Hyderabad core urban area was pollution-free. The plan was explored by the previous BRS government.

The Congress government was not taking a step further, he said, claiming that the HILTP was formulated after discussing with all stakeholders, including industries managements, experts and others.

Telangana Cabinet decisions on Tuesday

– 27 municipalities and municipal corporations within Hyderabad core urban area to be merged with GHMC.

– In addition to TGSPDCL and TGNPDCL, a new DISCOM will be established.

– Proposal for setting up 10,000 MW pumped storage plants in the State approved

– New industries permitted for captive power generation, no ceiling on power generation

– 800 MW new plant at the Ramagundam Thermal Power plant in collaboration with NTPC

– Procurement of 3000 MW renewable energy and 2000 MW pumped power at the earliest

– Officials instructed to study the feasibility of setting up thermal plants at Paloncha and Makthal.

– Establishment of underground power cabling system in Hyderabad. Apart from power lines, T-Fibre, cable network lines also to go underground at a cost of Rs.14,725 crore.

– Advanced Training Centres, including one in Jubilee Hills, to be set up in addition to upgrading existing ITIs as ATCs

– 20 acres approved for Young India Integrated school at Dummugudem in Kothagudem

– 40 acres allocated for Sports schools at Jaggannapeta in Mulugu.