Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113050870300.htm

Back AP to follow suit

Our Bureau

Hyderabad, Nov. 29 Concerned with latest terrorist attacks in Mumbai, Andhra Pradesh has decided to create a new elite State security Police Department – State Security Guards – modelled on the lines of National Security Guards.

A Cabinet meeting chaired on Saturday by the State Chief Minister, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, proposed to set up such a force with high standards in recruitment and training.

Briefing newspersons, the State Information Minister, Mr. A. Ramnarayan Reddy, said the Cabinet had decided to appoint a panel with Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Home Secretary among others to formulate modalities and submit a report.

Act amendment

The Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to amend the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM) to mobilise Rs 16,000 crore through borrowings to make up for gaps in the 2008-2009 budget.

This move is aimed at bridging the revenue gap which was mainly due to short fall in revenue from sale of lands.

Budget projection

The Government could mobilise barely about Rs 2,500 crore as against planned Rs 12,000 crore from sale of land, which was projected in the budget.

Therefore, the State Cabinet, which met here today, decided to amend the FRBM Act which will then enable the Government to raise additional funds through borrowings.