Displaced families demand ‘reasonable’ package

Srikakulam: Distribution of cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to youth as part of the R and R Package to the displaced families under Vamsadhara Project was disrupted in the middle at Hira mandal headquarters on Tuesday.

Water Resources Minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao, Labour Minister K Atchannaidu, government Whip Kuna Ravikumar, MP K Rammohan Naidu and local MLA K Venkata Ramana attended at Hira mandal centre to distribute cheques to youth to reduce resistance from locals.

After distribution of cheques to 14 youth, the Ministers said the government had allocated Rs 421 crore under Vamsadhara rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) package.

Out of this, Rs 150 crore was released previously and another Rs 43 crore was kept ready for distribution.

Revenue offices in all three mandals, Kotturu, Hira and L N Peta, will work round-the-clock to clear compensation package.

But the displaced people were not satisfied with the assurances given by the Ministers and complained that they were being deprived of a reasonable package. They regretted that nobody was heeding their requests.

Unable to pacify the locals, the Ministers after distributing cheques to some youth, left the place abruptly after asking the officials to complete the procedure.

Earlier in the day, the Ministers distributed cheques under ‘Youth Package’ at Krishnapuram village in Kotturu mandal without any hindrance.

In the village, total 116 youth were identified under the package. Uma Maheswara Rao assured them that the compensation disbursement will be completed by January 31.