AP CM vows 120 tmc ft water to Seema

Pulivendula (Kadapa district): Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the TDP government was keen to link rivers in the state in order to protecting the interest of farmers. Addressing the Janmabhoomi-Maa Vooru progrmme here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said his government was prepared to spend maximum amount of funds for interlinking all rivers in future. He said that if the linking of rivers Godavari and Pennar is completed, it would be possible to provide adequate water to Kadapa district through Somasila Reservoir.

Naidu recalled that during his visit to Kadapa district last year, he inspected every reservoir and canal by staying at nights at them and assured that he would complete all pending irrigation projects and canals in a phased manner. Without naming YSRCP chief and local MLA Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, the Chief Minister alleged that some leaders were trying to create hurdles for the development of the state.  “Despite facing severe financial problems, the state government is committed to fulfill the assurances made during the 2014 elections,” he asserted.

Stating that the government had spent Rs 50,000 crores on agriculture sector in the last three-and-a-half years, Naidu said efforts were on to  supply 120 tmc ft of water for Rayalaseema districts by completing all irrigation projects in coming years.

“As part of the efforts Chitravati Balancing Reservoir was completed at a cost of Rs 1,360 crores,” he said. On the occasion, he praised the farmers who had given their lands for the construction Gandikota reservoir in the district.

While stressing the need of farmers to concentrate on agriculture-related professions like dairy, poultry, pisciculture as they were more beneficial than traditional cultivation. He said Kadapa district was more suitable for cultivating horticulture crops and the government was ready to extend all possible help for turning the district into a horticulture hub by setting up processing units, cold storages and other facilities.

The Chief Minister distributed various assets worth Rs 448 crore to beneficiaries, and sanctioned Rs 778 crores worth welfare schemes for Pulivendula constituency. He also sanctioned 3,600 new pensions in Pulivendula town.  The Chief Minister also assured to completed the indoor stadium in Pulivendula town. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated lift irrigation scheme at Chitravati Balancing Reservoir constructed at a cost at Rs 1360 in Lingala mandal and dedicated it to the nation.