CM conducts aerial survey, orders 5k aid to each flood-hit family

Rajamahenedravaram: Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas, including Polavaram project and Devipatnam in two Godavari districts on Thursday. After his arrival from Delhi, he directly arrived here by helicopter from Gannavaram airport and went on aerial survey. Later, he held a review meeting in the airport with the ministers and officials at Rajamahendravaram airport.

The Chief Minister enquired with the officials about the flood situation in the two Godavari districts, ongoing relief operations, crop loss and other issues. Stating that there was no dearth of funds to extend any help to the flood victims, directed the officials to extend necessary assistance to them.

He directed the officials to pay an amount of Rs 5,000 to each flood-affected family in the two districts immediately and warned that any delay in this regard would not be condoned. He pointed out that more than 70 per cent of the inundated villages were tribal habitations.

He asked officials to supply essential commodities to families in flooded villages. Besides paying compensation for crop loss, the Chief Minister directed officials to supply fresh seeds free-of-cost. He told the officials to take the water flow at Polavaram project construction site as the benchmark for calculating the flood threat and take preventive steps accordingly in future.

The Chief Minister wanted rehabilitation and resettlement works in the Polavaram submergence villages taken up in an expeditious manner on a priority basis. An IAS officer was appointed exclusively to oversee Polavaram rehabilitation and resettlement works and expedite them, the Chief Minister added.

Later, Jagan Mohan Reddy left for Gannavaram without addressing the scheduled press conference. Briefing about the review meeting to the media at the airport, Deputy Chief Minister and medical and health minister Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas said construction of houses to the displaced people of Polavaram project would be completed before next year flood season with quality along with necessary facilities.

Many tribal habitations in twin Godavari districts were submerged because of cofferdam which was constructed as part of Polavaram Project. Because of it, the flood water surged into the tribal habitations.

Former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to get commissions started cofferdam and not even shifting the project evacuees, he said. The government ordered for an enquiry to know the corruption took place in the construction of the project and stern action will be taken against the respective persons in this regard, he added.

Minister for Agriculture K Kanna Babu, MLAs N Dhana Lakshmi, J Raja, CHVG Krishna, MP Margani Bharat Ram, collectors DM Reddy, MM Raju and other officials were present. Deputy chief ministers P S C Bose, A K K Srinivas, ministers K Kanna Babu, P Anil Kumar Yadav, MPs and MLAs participated in the review meeting.