AP Cabinet clears key proposals on Kadapa steel plant

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has approved a series of major policy decisions covering industrial development, drinking water supply, tribal welfare and infrastructure projects.

In a major boost to industrial development in the Rayalaseema region, the cabinet approved the allocation of 424.45 acres of government land in several villages of Jammalamadugu in YSR Kadapa district for the proposed steel plant of JSW Steel. The land will be transferred to the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation upon payment of Rs 21.30 crore. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that the plant begins production within two years.

The cabinet also approved other land allocations including 2 acres for KIMS Hospital, 23 acres to a related trust, and 3 acres to the Thulluru Education Society as compensation. Additionally, 17 acres were allotted to the AP Tourism Authority in Bapatla district for luxury resorts and 20 acres in Chittoor district for tourism development. One acre was allocated in Nellore district for construction of an ESIC hospital, while 86 cents of land in Muthukur will be provided at a nominal price for a hospital proposed by a Singapore-based company using CSR funds worth Rs 20 crore.

The cabinet approved major subsidies for tribal farmers under the “Per Drop More Crop” programme. Farmers holding Forest Rights Act (FRA) land titles in eight tribal districts will receive 100 percent subsidy on drip irrigation and 90 percent subsidy on sprinkler irrigation systems. The scheme aims to improve irrigation facilities in hilly regions and help tribal farmers increase agricultural productivity.

The cabinet also approved the implementation of the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Amendment Act, 2024, introduced by the Union government. The amendment replaces imprisonment with monetary penalties for minor violations and is expected to help industries reduce compliance burdens while enabling the state to access funds under the National Clean Air Programme.

To support working women, the government will establish 30 working women’s hostels named “Sakhi Nivas” under the Mission Shakti programme. The hostels will include crèche facilities for children of working mothers and will be set up in areas with high employment opportunities for women.

To facilitate quicker resolution of GST disputes, the cabinet approved the establishment of GST appellate tribunals in Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Vijayawada. Currently, all appeals are handled in Vijayawada, leading to delays. The new tribunals are expected to speed up dispute resolution and improve revenue collection.

The cabinet also approved administrative sanction for seven major projects worth Rs 9,355 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission to provide safe drinking water to households. Additionally, projects worth Rs 1,814.71 crore were cleared to address drinking water shortages in 3,000 habitations, benefiting about 65 lakh people across 76 mandals.

To strengthen educational infrastructure, the cabinet approved land allocation for three new Kendriya Vidyalayas. Land will be allotted in Raghavapuram in NTR district (5 acres), Nuzvid in Eluru district (7 acres) and Purushottapuram in Palasa mandal of Srikakulam district (5 acres) to the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.

The cabinet also cleared additional expenditure to accelerate works on the Polavaram Project. To speed up construction, the government approved installation of a third gantry crane and additional works to strengthen damaged rock layers and lining structures. Additional funds of Rs 23.47 crore for Package-63A and Rs 24.51 crore for Package-64A were sanctioned.