The Hindu Business Line : AP Cabinet extends deadline

In an effort to help the farming community enjoy the benefits of free power for cultivation, the State Government today extended by a month the deadline to install capacitors to their pump sets.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the State Cabinet today. It will enable farmers to avail themselves of the benefits of free power.

Earlier, the State had directed that only farmers who use capacitors and energy saving devices would be eligible for free power.

This is part of the Government's effort to bring in energy audit and better demand side management.

Briefing newspersons, the State Information Minister, Mr Mohd Ali Shabbir, said farmers who do not install the two energy saving devices by April 30, will not be entitled to free power. About 95 per cent of estimated 24 lakh agriculture pumpset users enjoy free power.

The State Government has decided to educate farmers at village level on the latest technology in agriculture and allied subjects.

On another important issue, the Cabinet did not take a decision to extend the deadline to regularise the lands under the Urban Land Ceiling Act, which ended today.

Given the concern over the delay in land acquisition for irrigation projects, the Cabinet decided to empower the district level monitoring committees headed by the joint collectors to take appropriate decisions.

MV Tax hike

The Government has decided to enhance the existing motor vehicle tax (MV Tax) by 5 per cent on stage carriers (private), contract carriages, goods carriages, maxi cabs, omni buses, motor cabs, and vehicle tax on some more segments.

This will net additional revenue of Rs 25 crore on existing vehicles and Rs 23 crore from new vehicles.

Beedi leaf

The Cabinet has taken a decision that from 2006 beedi leaf season, the profit generated from its collection would be distributed among those engaged in its collection.

State garners about Rs 7-10 crore during the season from the Rs 65-crore spend on the industry by various players. Amount collected from the beedi industry would go for their welfare.

About 1.37 lakh families are likely to benefit from this move.

More Stories on : Agricultural Policy | Power | Andhra Pradesh

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