AP okays plan to provide net connection to 12 million homes

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet today approved a project that envisages providing state-of-the-art optical fiber network in the state and internet connection to 12 million homes.
The Fiber Grid Project, whose proposal was submitted to the Centre last month, aims to provide optical fiber network to villages and also 10-15 Mbps internet connection to 12 million homes at an affordable price, Information Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy told reporters here.
He was briefing the media after a marathon cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, that concluded tonight.
The government plans to register Andhra Pradesh Fiber Grid Corporation as a public company to execute the ambitious project and the Cabinet decided to allocate Rs 10 crore towards its initial expenses.

Among other decisions, the Cabinet has decided to allocate land to different firms in Anantapur district for generation of 60 MW of wind power.
The government has decided to set up a women empowerment corporation, Reddy said.

Aiming to enhance and ensure provision of basic facilities like roads in municipalities, the cabinet sought to obtain a report on the financial status of these civic bodies.
As a gift for poor households on 'Sankranti', the harvest festival to be celebrated this month, the government will supply a package of food items, including edible oil, jaggery, wheat flour and ghee. The initiative is named 'Chandranna Sankranti Kanuka' (Chandranna's Sankranti gift).

The government would organise Sankranti festivities on a grand scale showcasing the Telugu culture, Reddy said.