Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao declared that all religious programmes and mass gatherings will be banned till April 30. No permissions will be given whatsoever, he asserted.
The State government will allow only farm operations and food processing industries to operate. He pointed out that without farm operations, people will face scarcity of essential commodities. Permissions will be granted to rice mills, oil mills, flour mills and other value-addition industries affiliated to agriculture.
“With a population of 130 crore, no other country can supply food to us. We are a self-reliant and self-sufficient country in terms of food production. We need to allow farmers to continue their operations. Agriculture and food processing sectors will be allowed. They should take necessary precautions,” he said while briefing the media about the Cabinet decisions at Pragathi Bhavan on Saturday.
He said the Telangana government had also requested the Centre to give loan deferment failing which we will not be able to pay our loans. “The State revenue was only Rs 100.15 crore against Rs 4,000 crore in April. Even if we get additional loans and the Centre releases devolution funds, we will not be able to meet essential needs unless loans are deferred,” he said wishing for a favourable decision from the Central government.
Warning traders of stern action if they sell contaminated or spurious commodities, he said they will be booked under the PD Act. “Fair price shops are not hoarding ration. If such things happen we will cancel their dealership and will ensure that every eligible beneficiary received ration,” he said. Answering a question on compensation to farmers who have lost standing crop to hailstorm, he said that the government will support them.
Regarding the availability of masks, he said people can use towels, handkerchiefs and other clothes as alternatives. He also asked the Chief Secretary to conduct meeting with private hospitals and initiate action against those who refuse treatment to COVID-19 patients. He also ruled out opening of liquor shops at this juncture.
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