Andhra Pradesh cabinet approves 5% quota each for economically backward classes of upper castes, Kapu community

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh cabinet has announced five percent reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for members of the Kapu community and another five percent for the economically backward classes (EBCs) among the upper castes. The cabinet also approved the decision of doubling welfare pensions given under the NTR Bharosa Scheme. Pensions of Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 will now be doubled to Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 respectively. As many as 54.61 lakh pensioners will benefit from this decision. [caption id=“attachment_5332181” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu. News18[/caption] The Cabinet cleared a proposal to release one instalment of dearness allowance (DA) to government employees against two pending DAs. The government will now hold discussions with employee unions for the payment of dues in instalments. The cabinet has also decided to provide exemption of life tax for autos and quarterly tax for tractors. It has also approved the proposal of motor vehicle tax arrears. In total, 9.79 lakh vehicle owners will be benefited to the extent of Rs 66.50 crore. The cabinet has decided to provide aid for 1,26,097 houses built without approval since June, 2014. Beneficiaries will be given Rs 60,000 each, including Rs 15,000 for building a toilet at their home. This will cost Rs 756 crore to the exchequer. The cabinet further approved the proposal of providing Rs 10,000 to houses constructed during 1996-2004 in urban areas. Andhra Pradesh Housing Board (APHB) will be given Rs 20 crore for 20,000 units as one time grant. Medical insurance scheme for handloom labour will be reintroduced with a Rs 10 crore budget. Each family will be provided insurance worth Rs 20,000. Insurance companies will be called through e-tenders. Five sugar factories were given tax exemption to the tune of Rs 47.54 crore. The cabinet decided to allot Rs 50 crore for construction of Samata Sphoorti Vanam as announced in Babu Jagjivan Ram birth anniversary celebrations.