K. Chandrashekar Rao, the Chief Minister of Telangana, on the 27th of May, conducted a meeting to discuss the ongoing lockdown and post lockdown measures in the State.
The high level review meeting was held at Pragati Bhavan, with the participation of the Cabinet minister and top officials of the agriculture department.
Besides lockdown discussion, the State Cabinet also discussed the economic situation, strategies, new agricultural policy and other measures to prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus.
After the meeting was over in the evening of the 27th of May, the Telangana Chief Minister conducted a press meet and briefed about the discussions and decisions taken during the meeting.
Highlights of the KCR press meet and decision taken during the meeting:
K.Chandrashekar Rao decided to deduct 75 % in the salaries of the public representatives, 60 % of the All India Service (IS) officers, 50 % of the government employees salaries, 25 % of the pensioners in May also.
For outsourcing and contract workers, there will be a 10 % cut in the May month salaries.
In regard to this decision of cutting salaries, Mr. Rao said Telangana should have a revenue of Rs. 12,000 crores income every month, but the pandemic crisis made the situation worse with an income of Rs. 3,100 crores.
The state Government has to pay debt installments to the tune of Rs 37,400 crores every year without fail. Though the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) requested the Central Government to reschedule loan payment for later, they did not agree, hence the State Government had to pay.
Mr. Rao said, “If salaries of the employees and pensions were to be paid, the expenditure would be more than Rs 3,000 Crore. The entire treasury will be empty.No payment can be made nor any work be undertaken. Hence we have to adopt a proper strategy.”
In another major decision, the State Government decided to exempt State run Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses from the night curfew.
In addition, buses from rural areas and other districts of Telangana, which were restricted to go to Jubilee Hills, could go to the JB bus stand.
Taxis and auto-rickshaws would also be allowed till the stands of the bus stations across the State. However, transport is still banned to run in Hyderabad, which is the containment zone for the spread of the Novel Coronavirus in the State.
Though lockdown restrictions have been imposed in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limit, the State Government yesterday announced a few relaxation in Hyderabad.
In some of the key relaxations announced, all kinds of shops could reopen and resume their businesses including in Hyderabad.
However, shopping malls would still remain closed including gyms, social gatherings, events and other public places.
In yet another significant decision, the State would not continue financial aid of Rs. 1,500 to and 12 kg free rice and pulses to White Ration card holders and poor in June.
In addition, speaking of the Telangana Formation Day celebration on the 2nd of June, KCR directed Telangana Rashtra Samithi officials to conduct a low key function on the occasion.
The officials were also asked to maintain social distancing and norms of the lockdown even after it ends on the 31st of May.
The 4th lockdown implemented in Telangana is proposed to end on the 31st of May.
Stay tuned for further updates.
