Doomed by mines, these villages soon to get salvation

 Kothagudem: Several villages in the districts affected by mining operations being carried out by the State-run Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) are inching towards better tomorrow with several development activities being implemented by the State government. 

The SCCL is shelling out a fortune for the overall development of these villages, by setting up the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT), a not-for-profit organisation meant to take care of the welfare of these villages.District Collector is the secretary of the trust and Local MLAs and district officers are members.

The State government has announced Rs 1,500 crore for the development of affected villages across the State, out of which Kothagudem district will get Rs 290 crore. The trust will develop 86 villages which have been affected by the mining operations. The Chief Minister recently conducted a review meeting in Pragathi Bahavan with District Collectors in the area, MLAs and other concerned officers.
 
He directed all officers to make arrangements for the development of the villages through the DMFT.  He instructed the officials and local representatives to ensure development of vilages and repairs of roads damaged by coal transportation. He also asked the officials to lay new roads wherever necessary and provide other infrastructure facilities to the villages.

The State government is planning to develop villages which are located in the mining areas in Bhadradri-Kothagudem, Jayashanker Bhupalpally, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Peddapalli and Mancherial districts. It has released funds to the DMFT for the purpose.

Development works have already been identified in the villages. A meeting was held in January this year to prepare an action plan under the chairmanship of Roads and Buildings Minister T Nageswara Rao. In the meeting, the local MLA and concerned officials discussed in detail the works to be taken up. 

A total of 86 villages have been identified as close to the mines, within the radius of two kilometers and funds will be released soon. The villages to be developed are Kothagudem 25, Manuguru 18, Yellandu 8, Aswaraopet and Palvoncha 3 each, Tekulapally 14, Sathupalliy and Charla 3 each.
 
However, some of the local leaders raised objections. Former MLA G Narasaiah, speaking to The Hans India, said the government should change the list of villages. He demanded that the government should develop villages which are located within ten kilometers of the mines. 

Sathupally MLA Sandra Venkata Veeraiah told The Hans India that the government should immediately release funds for the development of villages. He demanded that the government must give priority to more villages in the Singareni areas.  Aswaraopet MLA T Venkateswarlu said it was the good to see development taking place in some villages in the district. He also appealed to the government to release funds for development works immediately.