AP govt to set up world class 'Livestock' research institute

Hyderabad, Dec 17 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Government today announced that it would establish the 'Indira Gandhi Institute of Advanced Research on Livestock', under Public-Private Parternship, at Pulivendula in Kadapa district.

Briefing newspersons after a cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy here, state Information and Public Relations minister A Ramanarayana Reddy said the state cabinet had approved the setting up of the research institute at a cost of Rs 386.24 crore.

The government would acquire 650 acres of land for the project and about 101 acres of government land had already been acquired. About 300 personnel would be recruitted to take up the activities in the research institute, he said.

On the request of the Centre, the state cabinet had approved the draft bill to reduce entry tax for motor vehicles from other states.

Accepting the long pending demands of local bodies, the state government had decided to devolve the powers to the local bodies as per the 73rd Constitutional amendment. The funds would be released to local bodies from agriculture, fisheries, rural development, health, family welfare and women and child development departments directly, Mr Reddy said.

The minister said the cabinet ratified taking up of small and medium irrigation projects with the assistance of Japan bank. The bank would provide Rs 951.3 crore, while the state government would contribute Rs 186 crore to construct 59 small and 11 medium projects.

UNI