CPI demands Rs 2,000 cr for Veligonda project

Ongole: The CPI Prakasam district unit took out a rally and staged a protest in front of the Collectorate on Thursday. The CPI workers tried to barge into the Collectorate but the police foiled their plain and arrested the leaders.

The party leaders demanded the state government allocate Rs 2,000 crore for Veligonda project in the budget, recommend construction of Ramayapatnam port and include Prakasam district in the backward districts list.

ML Narayana, secretary of the CPI Prakasam district unit, said that the government should initiate measures to eradicate the backwardness in the district and complete the Veligonda project and construct Ramayapatnam port to change the lives of people here. 

He demanded that the government sanction and release Rs 2,000 crore in the upcoming budget for Veligonda project. He demanded the government recommend the construction of Ramayapatnam port instead of Dugarajapatnam port to the Central government to improve the employment opportunities for the local youth. 

He asked the state to include Prakasam district in the backward districts list on par with Rayalaseema and Uttarandhra districts, which are receiving development funds. He warned the government that if it fails to provide the funds for Veligonda project in this budget, the party would take up agitations from March 8 and build a public movement in the district.