LUCKNOW: In a major decision, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved the proposal to get all development authorities across the State audited. The decision was taken at the second cabinet meeting of Yogi Adityanath’s government on Tuesday.
Proposals on sops for potato growers, payment of arrears to cane farmers, ridding the roads of potholes till June 15, 24-hour power supply and one-time settlement of power bills due on farmers also got the State cabinet’s nod.
In the meeting, the cabinet discussed the work of all the urban development authorities in detail and decided to have an independent agency audit the work worth Rs 10 crore and above which has been done in the recent past.
The cabinet also decided to ensure 24-hour power supply to district headquarters, 20-hour to tehsil headquarters and 18-hours to rural areas. Drought-stricken and parched Bundelkhand region will get a 20-hour power supply and a drinking water scheme.
For farmers owing electricity bills over Rs 10,000 to the power department, the cabinet proposed to have a provision of payment in four instalments. The government also decided to waive surcharge on electricity dues and an MoU in this regard is expected to be signed between the State and Center on April 14.
The government directed the power officials to get defunct transformers replaced within 48 hours, instead of the previous 72-hour deadline. In urban areas, transformers will be replaced in 24 hours.
In a major succour to potato and cane farmers, the cabinet gave its nod to important proposals. The government has decided to purchase 1 lakh metric tonne potato directly from potato growers at a support price of Rs 467 per quintal.
For cane growers, the cabinet issued directives to mill owners to clear previous pending dues in the next 120 days while current arrears would be paid within 14 days, failing which the legal punitive action will be taken.
Soon after taking over, the BJP government had promised to repair dilapidated and damaged roads within a time limit. The cabinet on Tuesday approved a Rs 4000 crore proposal to rid 85943km
State roads of potholes till June 15.
As promised in its sankalp patra, the BJP government approved setting up a task force to check illegal mining in Uttar Pradesh. The three-member committee, set up in the first cabinet under the
chairmanship of Deputy CM Keshav Maurya, presented its report in Tuesday’s meeting.
It is believed to have recommended e-tendering for the mining contracts which will soon be opened for the next six months, and the district magistrate will be the nodal officer.
Major Cabinet decisions at a glance