Telangana cabinet scraps two-child norm for local body polls

The Telangana Cabinet has decided to abolish the two-child norm for candidates contesting local body elections, following the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the State’s appeal. The Cabinet also reviewed the Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase 2, approved new agriculture colleges, and committed to road and rail infrastructure projects.

Hyderabad: The State Cabinet on Thursday decided to abolish the two-child norm for candidates contesting local body elections.

Under the existing rule, individuals with more than two children were barred from contesting elections to the posts of MPTC, ZPTC, ward member and sarpanch. Following appeals and representations from various quarters, the Cabinet resolved to scrap the restriction, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy announced.

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Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Srinivas Reddy said that in view of the Supreme Court having dismissed the State government’s Special Leave Petition, a detailed discussion on the matter would be held during the next Cabinet meeting on October 23.

“After examining the Supreme Court’s order, the government will consult legal experts and other stakeholders before taking a final decision,” he said.

Responding to questions about the episode involving Forest Minister Konda Surekha, Srinivas Reddy downplayed the controversy, describing it as “a storm in a teacup.”

The Cabinet also discussed the Hyderabad Metro Rail project extensively. Owing to the conditions imposed by the Central government for executing the second phase, the State government is exploring the option of taking over the project.

The financial and technical feasibility of the second phase and preliminary discussions with L&T were examined in detail. The Cabinet decided to constitute a committee of senior officers under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to study the matter.

This officers’ committee will submit its findings to a Cabinet sub-committee headed by the Deputy Chief Minister. A final decision will be made based on their recommendations, the Minister said.

Srinivas Reddy stated that the State is expecting a paddy yield of 1.48 lakh metric tonnes this season. However, when officials approached the Centre, they were informed that only up to 50 lakh tonnes would be procured.

“Irrespective of the Centre’s stand, the State government will ensure MSP and extend a Rs 500 bonus per quintal for fine rice varieties,” the Minister asserted.

The Cabinet also approved setting up three new agriculture colleges at Huzurnagar, Kodangal and Nizamabad. It further cleared the development of 5,566 km of roads at an estimated cost of Rs 10,547 crore under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM).

For the development of the Krishna–Vikarabad broad-gauge line, the government will acquire 840 hectares of land at a sanctioned cost of Rs 438 crore. Similarly, the 75-km Munnanuru–Srisailam elevated corridor, proposed at Rs 7,500 crore in collaboration with the Central government, received approval.