Cabinet approves two instalments of DA, plans measures to tackle drought

The State Cabinet has approved the release of two pending instaments of Dearness Allowance (DAs) to government employees and pensioners, said Minister for Revenue, Housing and Information and Public Relations Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy.

“The Cabinet also decided to constitute a sub-committee to examine immediate measures to be taken in areas affected by the El Niño conditions. It also resolved to convene an all-party meeting soon and hold consultations with farmers’ associations and experts from different sectors before finalising the mitigation measures. The State government would also seek the Centre’s assistance and request the declaration of drought-affected areas,” he added.

Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at the Secretariat here on Thursday, the Minister said the two DAs would be released immediately from among the arrears pending since 2024, while the remaining arrears would be cleared in instalments.

“The release of DAs will impose an additional annual financial burden of about ₹2,500 crore on the State government. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to release the DA despite the financial burden, in line with the assurance given during recent discussions with employee unions,” he said.

The Cabinet also discussed the El Nino conditions and the deficient monsoon in the State. Mr. Srinivasa Reddy said Telangana had recorded a rainfall deficit of about 17% during the monsoon, which ended on Wednesday. The Cabinet also decided to make arrangements for procurement of paddy during the kharif season.

On power supply, Mr. Srinivasa Reddy said electricity consumption had increased significantly amid the prevailing conditions. The State’s peak demand had touched a record 19,892 MW, against 16,613 MW recorded last year. The normal daily consumption was around 15,000 MW, he said.

“The Cabinet decided to procure adequate power to meet demand and prevent power cuts. It also approved proposals to promote new renewable energy generation and power storage capacity, with projects totalling about 7,800 MW,” he added.

The proposals include 3,000 MW of solar power, 4,000 MW of battery energy storage systems and 800 MW of wind power.

The Cabinet also decided to expedite the establishment of a world-class integrated fruit market at Koheda in Abdullapurmet mandal of Rangareddy district. The market is to be developed entirely with government funds.

It further reviewed long-pending projects and directed officials to cancel incomplete projects taken up under the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) scheme. The Cabinet approved the suspension of 10 EPC irrigation projects as part of the exercise.

The Cabinet also approved a special policy for digital media advertising in Telangana, in line with the Digital Advertising Policy formulated by the Central Bureau of Communication.

It sanctioned the post of Deputy Commissioner in the Office of the Resident Commissioner at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi. Four additional Group-I officers would also be appointed to work on behalf of the State government in the national capital.