Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka reiterated that the state government was giving top priority to education and health and said it was ready to allocate all necessary funds to strengthen these key sectors.
Addressing officials in a series of pre-budget meetings with the Ministries of Minority Welfare, BC Social Welfare, Transport, Irrigation, Civil Supplies and Cinema, Mr. Bhatti instructed the officials to come up with budget proposals with clear priorities and commitments.
He asked the officials to expedite outstanding payments for welfare hostels and Gurukuls (residential schools and colleges) and to speed up repairs to hostel buildings. The introduction of biometric attendance for students and teaching staff was ordered, with systems connected to a central monitoring unit. He also called for an inspection of solar power installations in hostels and residential facilities and directed officials at the district and state levels to conduct regular inspections, including overnight.
During a meeting of the Irrigation Department, Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasized the urgent need for crop diversification and pointed out the farmers’ difficulties due to extensive paddy cultivation and limited purchase of cooked rice by states like Tamil Nadu. Mr. Bhatti suggested promotion of oil palm and pulses cultivation and strengthening of storage infrastructure to support farmers.
The Deputy CM said that the upcoming budget will give more priority to Backward Classes with plans to improve infrastructure in BC Gurukuls and release scholarships immediately.
BC Social Affairs Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the government will soon introduce new programs aimed at increasing employment and economic opportunities for BC communities. “Mahalakshmi chip cards for traveling in RTC buses will soon be distributed door-to-door to women commuters,” he added.
Social Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar has proposed construction of major facilities on SC Social Welfare Department plots at Lower Tank Bund and Kachiguda to promote competitive coaching for exams.
Published – 18 Feb 2026 21:49 IST