Underground drainage system to be introduced in 157 villages

Rajamahendravaram: Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Nara Lokesh said that the government was using advanced technology for rapid execution of works to develop the villages.

Participating at a meeting held in connection with National Panchayat Raj Day at Sri Venkateswara Anam Kala Kendram here on Tuesday evening, he said the government was providing basic facilities such as drinking water, lighting, roads and drains etc in the State.

This year it was decided to lay 10,000 km of concrete roads in the villages along with link roads. As many as 37 panchayats got prizes in the State out of 85 panchayats selected under ‘Mission Antyodaya’ programme at national level.

The government is giving 10-star rating to the villages and all the 12,918 villages in the State will be brought under the rating by the year 2019 with various parametres. Underground drainage system is coming up in 157 villages at a length of 3,500 km as pilot project in the State.

East Godavari district stood in first place in the country by providing 3.1 lakh LED street lights in 1,069 villages. Employees from top to bottom are working well in the departments and the government was putting its efforts to sort out the problems of the employees, he said.

Dumping yards would be provided in all the villages by 2019. The Minister urged all the sarpanches to work with commitment and dedication. There is no dearth of funds for rural development, he added.

The government is very much particular to develop the villages which are backbone of the country. Panchayat Raj and Rural Development departments are working with 23 other departments for the development of villages, he pointed out.

The Minister pointed out that the TDP came out of NDA as Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to fulfill the promises made in AP Reorganisation Act at the time of State bifurcation. Thus the State is facing challenges at the current juncture, he said.

Later, the Minister distributed I Phones to 183 employees such as ZP chief executive officers, district panchayat officers, divisional panchayat officers and village secretaries in recognition of their meritorious services.

Deputy Chief Minister Nimmakayala Chinarajappa asked Panchayat Raj Minister Nara Lokesh to release necessary funds for laying concrete roads in the district. He said the government would provide all facilities in the villages to help prevent migration from rural areas.

Minister for Excise K Jawahar, ZP chairman J Naveen, MP M Murali Mohan, MLC Adireddy Appa Rao, GUDA chairman Ganni Krishna, Panchayat Raj Principal Secretary Jawahar Reddy, Commissioner K Ramanjaneyulu, Collector Karthikeya Misra and others were present.