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Apathy hits KPFC works in Proddatur
They also alleged that there was nexus exist between some contractors and Irrigation Minister over the allocation of works. To provide drinking water to people of Proddatur, former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy had sanctioned Rs 73 crore for KPFC works and laid foundation stone for it on September 21, 2007. However, works were stopped in mid-way after spending Rs 24 crore as some farmers app
Kadapa: The dream of Proddatur people in securing water from Kundu-Penna Flood Canal (KPFC) seems to be eluding due to lack of coordination between officials, contractors and politicians. It has become a common practice for irrigation officials to call tenders for proposed works and cancelling them in last minute by saying technical reasons. It may be recalled the Minor Irrigation Department has called for tenders on June 14 this year with an estimate of Rs 172 crore for KPFC works.
Even, the officials have received many tenders from contractors. However, the officials suddenly cancelled the tenders saying that contractors failed to specify full details in tender forms. Opposition leaders have alleged that the construction of KPFC would not be completed at any cost as irrigation officials were working under the eye of Irrigation Minister D Umamaheswara Rao, who pressurising officials to allocate works to some influential contractors.
They also alleged that there was nexus exist between some contractors and Irrigation Minister over the allocation of works. To provide drinking water to people of Proddatur, former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy had sanctioned Rs 73 crore for KPFC works and laid foundation stone for it on September 21, 2007. However, works were stopped in mid-way after spending Rs 24 crore as some farmers approached court by opposing land acquisition taken up by the administration.
Meanwhile, fresh orders were called with revised cost of Rs 183 crore during the regime of former Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on February 6, 2014. After TDP came to power, the government again issued tenders on April 11, 2016 for resuming works at a cost of Rs 122 crore in the first phase. But, works were not executed due to intervention of ruling party leaders into the issue.
“Leaders from all parties especially YSRCP and TDP playing games during the tendering process and creating an unwanted situation,” said Kandurthi Subba Rao of NGO Colony. Proddatur YSRCP MLA Rachamallu Prasad Reddy alleged that former Proddatur MLA Varadarajulu Reddy was responsible for looting public money in Rs 72 crore in KPFC works during
Rajasekhara Reddy regime.
He alleged that land acquisition was completed for 17 km stretch out of total 23 km. However, officials dragging the issue at the behest of ruling party leaders. In view of siphoning of public money, the ruling party leaders forced the irrigation officials to prepare revised estimates for Rs 122 crore against actual Rs 72 crore. He warned of launching indefinite hunger fast along with his party MLAs in front of Irrigation Minister’s chamber if the government fails to execute the KPFC works.
By M Srinivasa Rao
