Andhra Cabinet took major decisions; here is a complete list

Amaravati : Andhra Pradesh Cabinet today approved key welfare, infrastructure, and governance reforms.

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu chaired the 27th e-Cabinet meeting and took major decisions for the welfare of the state.

Key Approvals and Announcements:

1. Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women

The “Stri Shakti” scheme, a key Coalition Government promise, will be launched on August 15, 2025.

Women, girls, and transgenders in Andhra Pradesh can travel free on 6,700 APSRTC buses (74% of fleet).

Applicable on PalleVelugu, Ultra PalleVelugu, City Ordinary, Express, and Metro Express buses.

Valid ID proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, or Ration Card) is required.

Not applicable to interstate, chartered, or tour services.

Estimated cost: ₹162 crore/month (₹1,942 crore/year); benefits approx. 27 lakh passengers/day.

Safety initiatives include body cameras for female conductors and CCTV in buses.

An additional 3,000 electric buses to be procured this year; 1,400 more over the next 2 years.

2. New IT Land Policy (LIFT 4.0)

Land offered at ₹0.99/acre to Fortune 500 IT companies, Global Capability Centers, and park developers.

Conditions include job creation targets and prior operational credentials.

Aimed at leveraging state infrastructure and countering urban congestion.

3. Tourism Sector Revamp

Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of 22 APTDC hotels and resorts to be handed to private agencies via RFP.

Properties grouped into 6 geographic clusters to improve efficiency.

Minimum financial and operational criteria set for bidders.

4. Land Swap in Tirupati

Land allotted to the Oberoi Group for a resort project was canceled due to public opposition.

A 25-acre land swap between APTA and TTD was approved to address concerns.

5. Liquor Permit Rooms Reinstated

A4 liquor shops permitted to operate controlled permit rooms again to curb public drinking.

License fee: ₹5–7.5 lakh based on Retail Excise Tax.

Expected to generate ₹256 crore/year in additional revenue.

6. Power Sector Support

₹900 crore state guarantee approved to help APPDCL avoid credit downgrades.

₹4,573.94 crore guarantee sanctioned for APSPDCL and APCPDCL under RDSS for infrastructure upgrades.

Free electricity for barbers (Nayi Brahmins) increased from 150 to 200 units/month.

₹100 crore allocated for 40,808 salons.

7. Handlooms & Textiles Support

Free power: 200 units/month for handlooms, 500 for power looms.

5% GST reimbursement for APCO and weaver societies.

Thrift Fund revival: 8% contribution each by weavers and government.

Total allocation: ₹648.59 crore for sector strengthening.

8. Education Reforms

Ratification of recent G.O.s related to school restructuring and teacher deployment.

School model updated with 9 categories, including Foundational, High School Plus, etc.

3,228 new posts created; 4,951 headmasters re-designated.

9. New Media Accreditation Rules

2025 rules replace 2023 framework; includes accreditation for small newspapers and social media policy.

Journalists’ associations to be part of accreditation committees.

10. Ban on Extremist Groups Extended

Continued ban on CPI (Maoist) and its front organizations under the AP Public Security Act.

Maoist-linked activities recorded during the previous ban period prompted extension.

11. Legal Infrastructure Strengthening

Sanction of 5 new Assistant Public Prosecutor posts for Puttaparthi, Movva, Gannavaram, Gajuwaka, and Tirupati.

12. New Bar Policy (2025-28)

Lottery-based allocation of 840 bars with revised norms.

Working hours fixed from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

10% bar licenses reserved for toddy workers at a 50% fee.

13. Industrial Development

APIIC approved to raise ₹7,500 crore for land acquisition and cluster development.

Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to be created for fund management and land transfer.

14. Administrative Reforms

Y. Ramavaram Mandal in the ASR district is to be bifurcated into Upper and Lower mandals.

81.227 cents of land in Tammiganipalem (Chittoor) transferred to APIIC for an industrial park.