Call to use water judiciously

• District recorded 53% deficit rainfall: Deputy CM 
• Says govt declared 51 mandals as drought-hit

Kurnool: Deputy Chief Minister KE Krishnamurthy made an appeal to people to use water judiciously as district recorded 53 per cent deficit rainfall compared to previous years. 

Participating in the Zilla Parishad (ZP) general body meeting here on Saturday, Krishnamurthy stated that existing water should be used for drinking and irrigation needs. 

As drought situation was prevailing in the district, Krishnamurthy said the government had declared 51 mandals as drought-hit. 

To overcome drought conditions, the district machinery has forwarded proposals requesting for sanction of Rs 640 crore, the Deputy Chief Minister mentioned and stated a DPR with an estimate of Rs 192 crore was prepared to provide water to Bethamcherla from Gorukallu Reservoir. 

District Collector S Satyanarayana said the government gave orders for filling Gajuladinna Project with the HNSS water. He also said water will be provided to last ayacut crops raised under Kurnool-Cuddapah (KC) Canal. 

“Officials are also taking steps to stop illegal usage of water from KC Canal by coordinating with the police, revenue and irrigation officials,” he added.
 
The Collector further said the government has accorded permission to construct compound wall to 360 schools in the district. 

Later, a budget resolution was passed with an estimated amount of Rs 576 crore and the members also accepted the proposal of ZP Chairman Mallela Rajasekhar Goud.