Latest news with #MalluBhattiVikramarka
New Indian Express
20 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Chalk out long-term strategies for power generation: Minister Bhatti to officials
HYDERABAD: Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday directed officials to formulate long-term strategies for power generation, keeping future demands in mind. During a review meeting with senior officials, the deputy CM pointed out that state's peak power demand increased from 15,497 MW in March 2023 to 17,162 MW in March 2025. He directed the officials to estimate the expected power demand by 2029–30, 2030–35 and 2047 and increase the generation capacity accordingly. He also wanted the officials to estimate the increase in power demand based on the government's initiatives like Future City project, Musi River rejuvenation, establishment of new industries, increase in agriculture use and change in people's lifestyle in urban areas. He said that these factors would contribute to an increase in power demand. Vikramarka said that the government was currently supplying free 24-hour power to nearly 30 lakh agricultural pump sets, for which the Finance department is paying Rs 12,500 crore annually to power utilities. Additionally, 200 units of free electricity are being provided to the poor, costing the government around Rs 2,000 crore, which is projected to increase to `3,000 crore. In total, future financial obligations under free power schemes may touch Rs 7,000 crore, he said. In this backdrop, there is a need to increase the production of green energy, he said. The government launched the 'Indira Soura Giri Jala Vikasam' scheme aimed at empowering tribal communities, under which 6.70 lakh acres will be brought under cultivation using solar-powered pumps, he said. Demand for thermal power Considering the future demand for thermal power by 2030–31 and 2035, he directed officials to plan for new thermal power plants to replace worn-out ones like the Ramagundam and KTPP units that were built 50 years ago. Since the Kothagudem Thermal Power Station completed 50 years and was shut down in 2019, he noted that the 500-acre site, with available coal reserves, is ideal for a new 800 MW unit. Likewise, the outdated 62.5 MW unit at Ramagundam, established during the Nizam era, was decommissioned, and plans should be prepared to build an 800 MW thermal plant at the same site. With the government considering setting up thermal plants under Genco, he asked the officials to come up with a concrete action plan. 'We are giving directors full freedom... just deliver on the government's expectations,' he said while encouraging the newly appointed directors to come up with innovative ideas for the department's growth.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Telangana releases Rs 180 crore for reimbursing medical bills of govt employees
HYDERABAD: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Thursday released Rs 180.38 crore towards clearing all pending medical reimbursement bills of government employees and pensioners at one go. He said that despite facing severe financial challenges on one hand and implementing numerous welfare schemes on the other, the government prioritised the long-pending medical reimbursement claims. 'The bills pending from March 4, 2023 to June 20, 2025, which also covers a period under the previous government, have been cleared. This decision has brought much-needed relief to 26,519 government employees and pensioners,' he said. 'The government, which recently transferred Rs 9,000 crore to farmers' accounts under the Rythu Bharosa scheme in a span of just nine days, has now cleared medical reimbursement bills of employees worth Rs 180.38 crore,' he added. The deputy CM also recalled that on June 13, the government announced a hike in two Dearness Allowances (DAs) for government employees and pensioners. Now, it has cleared medical reimbursement bills as well, he added. 'This DA hike benefits around 3.5 lakh regular government employees and three lakh pensioners. Each DA hike places a financial burden of Rs 2,400 crore per year on the state exchequer,' he said. Meanwhile, the deputy CM said that the government issued orders to increase cadre strength in the Women and Child Welfare and Planning departments. 'The process of forming a joint staff council to resolve employee and officer issues is in the final stages. Village panchayats are being classified into four grades based on population. A comprehensive health insurance scheme for employees and pensioners is nearing completion. DPC committees related to promotions in various departments have picked up pace,' he added.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Govt. clears pending medical reimbursement bills of employees and pensioners amounting to ₹180.38 crore
In a major relief to employees and pensioners, the State government has cleared their pending medical reimbursement bills. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has released ₹180.38 crore towards clearing the bills benefiting 26,519 employees/pensioners who are making rounds to the Secretariat and other offices regularly for more than two years now. The development follows the recent hike in the dearness allowance and an additional DA announced to the staff. The Deputy Chief Minister also cleared bills pending from the previous government. Bills pending since March 4, 2023 to June 20 this year have been cleared in the process. Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka, who is the chairman of the cabinet sub-committee on employees' welfare, took the initiative to release the funds as assured to the employees. The release comes after the government completed crediting of ₹9,000 crore into farmers' accounts as part of Rythu Bharosa, farmers investment support scheme. The amount, according to officials, was released in spite of the financial constraints and implementation of a spree of welfare schemes. Officials said that the recent hike in DA benefiting 3.5 lakh employees and over 3 lakh pensioners would impose additional burden of ₹2,400 crore a month on the State exchequer. The government had also issued orders approving an increase in cadre strength in the Women & Child Welfare and Planning departments, besides initiating the process for constituting a joint staff council to resolve issues of employees and officers in a time-bound manner. This is in addition to steps that were initiated to classify village panchayats into four grades based on population and a comprehensive health insurance scheme for employees/pensioners, which was in the offing. The government had also constituted departmental promotion committees at various levels, which were actively working on the process.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Telangana Government Clears Medical Dues for Employees and Pensioners
Telangana government has announced the clearance of pending medical dues amounting to Rs. 180.30 crore. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka made the announcement in Hyderabad on Thursday, stating that this financial relief will benefit 26,519 employees and pensioners. Vikramarka highlighted that these outstanding bills from the previous administration have now been addressed, despite the state facing significant financial challenges. He assured that the government remains committed to implementing welfare schemes on a large scale, even in the face of financial difficulties. The Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that the recent release of dues prioritised medical reimbursement bills for government employees and pensioners. The news has been met with delight from leaders of employee and pensioner associations, who have expressed their gratitude for the resolution of these long-standing issues.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Govt. committed to promote cottage industries for generating large scale employment: Deputy Chief Minister
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has announced the State government's resolve to actively promote cottage industries which can generate large scale employment and help in income generation for the aspiring sections. The government is firm that goods produced by artisans and traditional craftsmen were of immense utility to society. The Minister was speaking after inaugurating stalls set up as part of exhibition and sale of BC artisans handmade products under the aegis of the BC Welfare department here on Wednesday. He said the government was committed to encouraging handmade products as part of building a healthy Telangana. The Minister went round the exhibition featuring products made by different cottage industries not only from the State Capital but also from different districts. The exhibition showcasing clay utensils made by potters, bamboo products by Medari artisans, beadwork items, and handloom products from Pochampally, Gadwal, and Narayanpet will be open till June 29. Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka interacted with artisans who put up stalls, including the Goud community members, who put up Neera-based products on display. The Deputy Chief Minister appealed to the people to visit the exhibition, purchase eco-friendly and health-beneficial products so as to support traditional artisans. The government on its part was allocating dedicated funds with special focus on corporations of backward classes for the upliftment of the community. Mr. Bhatti Vikramarka, accompanied by Ministers Ponnam Prabhalar and Vakiti Srihari tasted the dishes prepared by the fishermen community members as part of their visit to the exhibition.
