TS Govt to unveil new industrial policy in Assembly

Hyderabad : The much-awaited Industrial Policy of the newly formed Telangana state was approved by the State cabinet and it would be introduced during the ongoing Assembly session.

The cabinet also approved a proposal to come up with a Sand Policy. It has decided to set up three corporations- Telangana State Water Grid Development Corporation, Telangana State Rural Road Development Corporation and Telangana State Roads and Development Corporation.

The three corporations would work under the aegis of the Panchyat Raj Department of the State. The cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, also gave its approval to the much talked-about Women Safety Bill.

The cabinet also approved a proposal to sanction Rs 100 crore for the transformation of Hussain Sagar lake. The meeting, which was held for close to three hours, also decided to set up an organisation by name Cultural Ambassador (Sanskrutika Leader), which would extend financial help to 500 artistes of the State.

It was also decided to construct a pylon in Nalgonda district, marking the commencement of the prestigious water grid project. The pylon is likely to come up in either Munugodu or Choutuppal mandals of the district.

Keeping the importance of rural local bodies in mind, the cabinet decided to strengthen the existing panchayat raj system by giving wider powers to all village sarpanches. It also decided to provide 22 per cent reservation to SC and ST communities in existing market committees.

The Industrial Policy of the State, apart from amplifying the single-window clearance procedure, also describes the special chasing cell in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) to monitor the progress of investments to be made by industrialists from India and abroad.

The State government has already identified about five lakh acres of land across the 10 districts for setting up industries. The proposed sand policy of the State is likely to focus on preventing the growing dominance of sand mafia and conservation of natural resources.

The government would identify land, earmark that land exclusively for industrial purpose, develop it in all aspects, provide power and water, and place it at the disposal of industrialists.

The Women Safety Bill consists of major recommendations like formation of 'SHE' Teams, helpline for women with an exclusive 3-digit emergency number, 24/7 one-stop support center at district level to redress women's grievances, women-friendly police stations, induction of more women in police department, and strengthening of the public transport system.

The Rs 100 crore allocation by the cabinet for the Hussain Sagar would pave way for the diversion of drain water from various nalas of the city. The Chief Minister has already instructed the officials to invite tenders form private firms to take up the diversion works.

The State cabinet meeting also took up discussion on existing power shortage and implementation of Asara scheme. It has discussed the issue of bifurcation of Intermediate Board.

The discussion on the issue of tank restoration programme also figured during the cabinet meeting. The cabinet approved the Appropriation Bill as well. The decisions taken during the meeting of the cabinet were not officially revealed by members of the State cabinet owing to the budget session.