Latest news with #KolusuParthasarathy
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
AP Cabinet clears free RTC bus travel for women from August 15; unveils new bar policy, power subsidies
VIJAYAWADA: The State Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the State Secretariat on Wednesday, took several key decisions, including the approval of the free travel for women in RTC buses from August 15. Disclosing the decisions taken by the Cabinet to mediapersons, Minister for Information and Public Relations Kolusu Parthasarathy said as part of the NDA government's Super Six promises, the Sthree Sakthi free bus travel scheme for women will be launched on August 15. All the measures have been taken to effectively implement this scheme. With a population of 5.25 crore in the State, there are 2.62 crore women. Under the scheme, women, girls and transgenders will be provided the opportunity to, travel free of charge from anywhere to anywhere in the State. Facilities have been provided to travel on Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, City Ordinary, Express, Metro Express bus services. To avail this facility, they need to show Aadhaar, voter or ration cards as ID proof. About 74%of RTC buses, meaning 6,700 buses, will provide free travel facilities for women. The implementation of this scheme will cost Rs 162 crore per month, approximately Rs 1,942 crore per year, benefiting about 26.95 lakh people daily in the State. This year, measures have been taken to purchase an additional 3,000 electric buses, and in the next two years, another 1,400 will be purchased. Recruitment of drivers and mechanics will also be undertaken according to demand, he said. The State Cabinet approved the Bar Policy for 2025-28, which will come into force on September 1. The new policy has been formulated by examining bar policies in neighbouring States. Bars are allocated through lottery, and this method is followed only when at least four applications are received. Business hours have also been permitted from 10 am to 11 pm. Out of 840 bars, 10% have been reserved for toddy tappers at 50% fee. This licence will be in effect from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2028.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Cabinet nod for free bus travel for women
Vijayawada: The state Cabinet on Wednesday approved free bus travel for women across the state from August 15. Under the 'Stree Shakti' scheme, the government will provide free travel for women in nearly 75 per cent of the APSRTC's total operational fleet of 11,449 buses. The Cabinet also okayed the privatisation of 22 hotels and resorts of the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) 'to improve service quality, operational efficiency, and revenue'. Other major decisions taken by the Cabinet, at its 27th e-meeting on Wednesday, chaired by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu at the Secretariat, included approval of the AP Land Incentive for Tech Hub (LIFT) Policy (4.0) for 2024-2029, aimed at attracting major IT companies by offering them land at a subsidised rate of Rs 0.99 per acre across the state. Information & Public Relations, and Housing Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy announced the decisions made by the Cabinet approving important proposals, with focus on fulfilling the coalition government's promises. Parthasarathy said that contrary to reports that 'Stree Shakti' would be implemented only in select districts with limited fleet, women will be allowed to travel free in a total of 8,456 buses. The scheme is expected to cost the government Rs 1,942 crore annually, or approximately Rs 162 crore per month. Services such as Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, City Ordinary, Metro Express, and Express will offer free travel to women, benefiting approximately 2.62 crore women, girls, and transgender individuals annually. Each family could save up to Rs 1,000 per month through this initiative, the Minister said. Passengers will need to show an Aadhar, voter, or ration card as ID. The approval of the free bus travel scheme for women, aside from other significant schemes like NTR Bharosa and Thalliki Vandanam demonstrates the government's commitment to its promises, he observed. The Cabinet approved a proposal to select agencies to manage and operate 22 hotels and resorts of the APTDC. The corporation's properties will be divided into six clusters and handed over to private operators. The Cabinet also approved the cancellation of the land allotment to the Oberoi Group in Tirupati, following a request to this effect from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board and concerns expressed by locals about the need to maintain the sanctity of Tirumala. The government will now facilitate a land swap with TTD for the AP Tourism Authority (APTA) land. The Cabinet has also given its nod for an amendment to the AP Excise (Grant of Licences) Rules to allow "permit rooms" (in-shop drinking facilities) at A4 liquor shops for the 2024-26 licence period. The new policy will allow these rooms for a licence fee of Rs 5-7.5 lakh, generating estimated additional revenue of Rs 256 crore annually.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Cabinet approves free bus ride for women in Andhra Pradesh from August 15
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved a series of transformative welfare initiatives ahead of the National Handloom Day, significantly impacting women, weavers, and small business owners across the State. These include the free bus ride for women and handholding to the weaver community and Nayee Brahmins (who are into salon services). Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat on Wednesday, I&PR Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy said, among the flagship measures, was the free bus travel scheme for women, set to be launched on August 15, under the 'Stree Shakti' initiative, which was one of the government's Super Six election promises. 'The scheme will allow over 2.6 crore women, girl students, and transgender individuals to travel free of cost on APSRTC buses, including Palle Velugu, Express, and Metro Express services. Valid ID proof is required, and services such as inter-State, chartered, or package tours are excluded,' the Minister said. Cost to exchequer 'The scheme will apply to 74% of the APSRTC fleet (about 6,700 buses), benefiting nearly 27 lakh commuters daily. The annual cost to the exchequer is expected to reach ₹1,942 crore. To meet increased demand, the State will procure 3,000 electric buses this year, with 1,400 more over two years. Safety upgrades include body cams for female conductors and CCTV cameras on buses, along with improved bus station facilities,' he said. Mr. Parthasarathy said, in a major boost to the traditional weaving sector, the Cabinet approved a comprehensive ₹648.59 crore relief package. 'The measures include free electricity (200 units for manual looms and 500 units for power looms), 5% GST reimbursement, and revival of the Thrift Fund Scheme, wherein the government matches 8% of a weaver's savings. Additionally, ₹5 crore has been allocated for 2025–26, and pending dues of ₹17.17 crore from 2017 onwards will be cleared,' the Minister said. Further, the Cabinet approved 150–200 units of free electricity for 40,808 hair-cutting saloons, both AC and non-AC, imposing an estimated ₹100 crore annual burden on the State. In other decisions, the Cabinet approved the formulation of a Social Media Policy and extended the ban on the CPI (Maoist) and its affiliated organisations such as RYL, RSU, SIKASA, and RDF until August 2026, under the Public Security Act.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Andhra liquor policy ensures no inflow from other States
VIJAYAWADA: The State government's new liquor policy has helped reduce liquor smuggling from neighbouring states, Housing and I&PR Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy said on Sunday. Speaking to media personnel at the TDP headquarters in Mangalagiri, Kolusu said that the coalition government's policy has ensured the availability of quality liquor at affordable prices, reducing the influx of non-duty-paid liquor (NDPL) into the State. He said officials from the neighbouring states confirmed that the flow of liquor into Andhra Pradesh had stopped due to the transparent policy and availability of all major liquor brands in the state. 'The policy has protected poor consumers from spurious liquor and ended the exploitation that prevailed during the previous YSRCP regime,' Kolusu said, alleging that YSRCP leaders looted thousands of crores through substandard liquor brands after promising prohibition. Echoing the same, Tourism and Culture Minister Kandula Durgesh also criticised the previous government, claiming the new liquor policy has unsettled YSRCP leaders. In a press release, Durgesh said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is steadily uncovering facts about alleged irregularities, which caused panic among YSRCP leaders. 'The coalition government's policy has curbed the illegal liquor trade and put a check on the YSRCP's liquor mafia,' the minister added.
New Indian Express
25-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
AP unveils Electronics Policy 4.0 to attract USD 150 billion investment, boost manufacturing
VIJAYAWADA: The State Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the State Secretariat on Thursday, approved the Andhra Pradesh Electronics Components Manufacturing Policy 4.0 (2025-30). Disclosing the details to mediapersons, Minister for Information and Public Relations Kolusu Parthasarathy said the policy will accelerate business pace and stimulate large-scale domestic and global investments in the electronics components ecosystem. Electronics component manufacturing companies investing in Andhra Pradesh can receive advance and matching incentives, interim support measures, and plug-and-play manufacturing facilities in special clusters. Electronics companies can also receive incentives and concessions suitable for mega projects as part of the policy. Significant employment generation opportunities will arise in places like Sri City, Orvakal, Kopparthi and Hindupur. The new policy intends to attract $150 billion investments into the State, he explained. In this Cabinet meeting, proposals related to investments of approximately Rs 80,000 crore, which will create employment opportunities for 1.50 lakh people were cleared. Based on the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) recommendations, the Cabinet allocated 3.6 acres of land at IT Hill No. 3, Madhurawada, Visakhapatnam district at Rs 1 crore per acre, and 50 acres at Paradesipalem at Rs 50 lakh per acre to Sify Infinite Spaces Limited through APIIC, thereby facilitating Rs 16,466 crore investment, and 600 jobs. This strategic development will establish Visakhapatnam as a key data hub, attract technology-based organisations, and improve the State's capabilities in cloud computing, data storage, and digital services, the I&PR Minister said. The Council of Ministers gave green signal to the recommendations made by the Technical Committee in its final report for completing construction works of 20 existing packages under Andhra Pradesh Urban Water Supply and Septage Management Improvement Project (APUWS&SMIP) with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) funding, and to invite tenders for remaining works.
