Hyderabad, 10 September (H.S.): Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Thursday said there were no plans at present to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) buses. However, premium and electric buses would be equipped with CCTV systems, he said.

Replying to queries during the Legislative Assembly Monsoon Session, the Minister said CCTV cameras had been installed in some RTC buses in Adilabad on the directions of the Superintendent of Police and that similar measures could be extended to other buses based on requirements.

On the Mahalakshmi scheme, Prabhakar said 347.47 crore women passengers had so far travelled free of cost in RTC buses, resulting in savings of Rs 12,171 crore.

The Minister also accused the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government of neglecting the RTC and said the corporation played an important role in providing public transport, particularly to poor and middle-class sections.

During the Assembly proceedings, BJP MLA K. Venkata Rama Reddy raised concerns over Telangana's dependence on other states for vegetables. He called for an increase in the area under vegetable cultivation and urged the government to provide cold storage facilities and subsidies for agricultural equipment.

BJP MLA Payal Shankar said the state was importing a large share of its milk requirements and sought measures to address milk adulteration. He also urged the government to ensure Telangana receives the benefits of the National Livestock Mission.

Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao, responding to the concerns, said the area under vegetable cultivation had declined from three lakh acres to 50,000 acres. He said subsidies were being provided for certain crops and related works.

AIMIM MLAs also raised issues concerning vegetable markets. Jaffar Hussain sought improvements at the Madannapet vegetable market and widening of roads, besides better facilities at the Rythu Bazaar in Falaknuma. Majid Hussain sought a canteen and resting space for farmers at the Gudimalkapur market and raised concerns over the availability of space and licensing of shops.

The Agriculture Minister assured the AIMIM legislators that a special meeting would be held with the Director of the Marketing Department to address issues relating to the markets.

AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi also sought information on the release of the Rs 10,000 airfare refund promised to Haj 2026 pilgrims. He asked about the proposed land and plans for construction of a new Haj House and the future of the existing facility.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu said two acres had been earmarked at Mamidipalli in Shamshabad for the proposed Haj House and that the project was estimated to cost Rs 86.5 crore. He said architects were being engaged for the project.

Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin, however, said funds for the proposed Haj House on Waqf land near Shamshabad airport were yet to be sanctioned and were under consideration by the government.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar