Telangana Cabinet Removes Two-Child Norm for Local Body Polls, Approves Major Infrastructure and Agriculture Initiatives
The Telangana government on Thursday decided to abolish the two-child norm for contesting local body elections, a long-standing restriction under which individuals with more than...
The Telangana government on Thursday decided to abolish the two-child norm for contesting local body elections, a long-standing restriction under which individuals with more than two children were ineligible to contest for positions such as Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs), ward members, and sarpanches. The decision was taken during a State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
Minister for Information and Public Relations P. Srinivas Reddy said the government received multiple representations requesting the removal of the rule. He added that strict population control measures in the state made the restriction unnecessary.
Hyderabad Metro Rail Expansion to be Fast-Tracked
The Cabinet also approved measures to accelerate the Hyderabad Metro Rail expansion. Officials discussed taking over the first phase of the Metro currently operated under a public-private partnership with Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which is seen as a hurdle to extending Phase 2A and 2B.
A high-level committee has been constituted to study the feasibility and issues related to taking over the Metro. Chaired by the Chief Secretary, the panel includes the Principal Secretary of Finance, Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Law Secretary, Metro Rail MD, and Urban Transport Advisor. The committee will submit recommendations to a Cabinet Sub-Committee on resource mobilisation, after which the government will take a final call.
Agriculture and Paddy Procurement Initiatives
The Cabinet emphasized full procurement of paddy from the current monsoon season, noting a record production of 1.48 crore tonnes. The Civil Supplies Department expects 80 lakh tonnes to reach procurement centers, with the Central government agreeing to buy 50 lakh tonnes and the state requesting an additional 15–20 lakh tonnes.
Srinivas Reddy confirmed that the government will procure all cultivated grain regardless of financial or logistical challenges. Additionally, a bonus of Rs. 500 per quintal for fine variety paddy will be directly deposited into farmers’ accounts along with the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of three new Agriculture Colleges in Huzurnagar, Kodangal, and Nizamabad.
Education, Road, and Infrastructure Decisions
The Cabinet cleared proposals to expand NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad by an additional seven acres, while local seat quotas will increase from 25% to 50%.
Under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), tenders will be issued for the construction and upgradation of 5,566 km of roads at a cost of Rs. 10,547 crore, connecting Gram Panchayats, mandal, district, and state headquarters.
The government also approved funding for Krishna-Vikarabad broad gauge railway line acquisition (845 hectares) at Rs. 438 crore. Furthermore, 435.08 acres of land will be allocated to the Defence Department as an alternative for land required for elevated corridor projects in Greater Hyderabad.
The Cabinet agreed to bear one-third of the Rs. 7,500 crore cost for the 75-km Mannanoor-Srisailam elevated corridor, to be constructed jointly with the Central government over a reserved urban forest.