Officials laud fast-paced works on irrigation projects

Hyderabad: The 15th Finance Commission team praised the State government for going on a mission mode to complete one of the largest irrigation projects in the country in very less time. The team felt that this project would not only cater to irrigation needs but also give a big fillip to tourism and aqua sectors and take care of industry needs which is commendable.

Members of the 15th Finance Commission comprising Arvind Mehta (Secretary), Ravi Kota (Joint Secretary), Antony Cyriac (Economic Adviser), Kandrap Patel, Ashok Lahiri and Rita Lahiri reached Hyderabad on Sunday as part of their three-day visit to State.

Chief Secretary S K Joshi, Principal Secretary (Finance) Ramakrishna Rao, Advisor to Government (Finance) G R Reddy accorded a warm welcome to the commission members. The visit is part of the 15th Finance Commission’s tour to various States in the country to prepare its recommendations and report.

Soon after reaching Hyderabad, the delegation left by a special plane for field visit of Kaleshwaram project. First, they inspected Medigadda barrage in Bhupalpally district. Post lunch they went to Nandimedaram to inspect Package 6 works.

The engineering team briefed the delegation that a major portion of works of Package 6 taken up with Rs 5,046 crore was nearing completion and the remaining works would be completed by June. To meet the deadline, works are continuing for 24 hours every day in three shifts, engineers informed the commission members.

After examining Kaleshwaram Package 6 works, they left for Rajanna Sircilla district to inspect Mission Bhagiratha works. The team reached Vemulawada around 5.30 pm and from there they visited Agraharam to take stock of Mission Bhagiratha project.

District Collector and officials explained to them about the objective of the project to supply potable drinking water to every house hold in Telangana, and the works done in Rajanna-Sircilla district.

CS SK Joshi and other senior officials accompanied the visiting team. After the field visits to inspect Kaleshwaram irrigation project and Mission Bhagiratha works, the panel would hold detailed meetings with senior officials of various departments, representatives of different institutions and urban local bodies on Monday and Tuesday. A meeting with Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao is also scheduled and it is likely to be held before the team winds up their Telangana visit.