Lokesh promises safe water in agency areas

Srikakulam: The state government committed to the development of rural and agency areas, said Minister for IT, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Nara Lokesh. 

He toured Palakonda and Amudalavalasa segments in Srikakulam district on Wednesday. He laid the foundation stones for various development works and tourism projects in the agency. Later, he interacted with the NREGS workers, self- help group (SHG) women and tribals in the agency. 

Lokesh laid the foundation stone for 544 group houses for the poor under the Central government scheme Pradhana Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) at an estimated cost of Rs 29.82 crore at Jaggusastrulapeta in Amudalavalasa mandal. 

Speaking on the occasion, he interacted with the SHG women and enquired over implementation of welfare schemes. Lokesh also conducted bhumipuja for Ragolu to Palakonda road via Muddadapeta, Kottavalasa and Korlakota at an estimated cost of Rs 12 crore Central funds.

On his way to Sitampeta, Minister Lokesh interacted with the NREGS workers at OV Peta in Burja mandal and asked them over facilities at work place and enquired about payment of wages.

Later, minister reached Sitampeta Agency and inaugurated NTR Sports Complex which was finished at a cost of Rs 2.10 crore. Lokesh sought opinions of tribal students at ITDA Complex over development activities. He further stated that the state government was spending more funds for the agency development.

“We are planning to provide safe water for habitations in the agency areas across the state by 2019. Various skill training activities are being conducted at ITDAs across the state to provide employment to youth,” Minister said. 

Lokesh interacted with agitators in front of ITDA administrative building at Sitampeta, who have been staging a dharna for the past 113 days, demanding that the government include Boya and Valmiki castes into ST list. He assured to bring to the notice of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

TDP State President and Minister for Energy K Kala Venkata Rao, Minister for Transport K Atchannaidu, MP K Rammohan Naidu, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Ch Dhanalaxmi, former speaker K Pratibha Bharathi accompanied the Minister during his tour in the district. Collector K Dhanunjaya Reddy, Superintendent of Police Dr CM Trivikrama Varma, ITDA Project Officer L Shiva Sankar were present at the programmes.