Mistakes rectified in Neeru-Chettu works

Srikakulam: Irrational distribution of works under the Neeru-Chettu scheme led to corruption for three financial years in the district. The state government started the scheme by issuing a GO No 70 dated 14-12-2014. The programme is aimed to conserve water resources by improving green cover on the land.

In 2015-16 financial year, in total 1,743 works have been sanctioned with an estimated cost of Rs 125.20 crore. In 2016-17, a total of 5,469 works has been sanctioned with an estimate of Rs 397 crore. In 2017-18, in total 2,584 works have been sanctioned with an estimated cost of Rs 203.82 crore.

For all the three years, the works allotted only to regular irrigation division of Srikakulam by neglecting other divisions like special construction, special investigation, Thotapalli, Vamsadhara, small and medium and AP State Irrigation Development Corporation (APSIDC) which is looking into lift irrigation schemes. All the works under Neeru-Chettu scheme allotted only to regular division. Because of irrational allotment of works, quality was affected with rampant corruption.

Silt removing, and bund works in tanks in G Sigadam, Laveru, Ponduru, Gara are examples for low-quality works. Widening of Relli Gedda works also affected and finished without following quality norms. An executive engineer (EE) of regular irrigation division is a nearest relative of a district minister and he influenced higher officials of irrigation and collector for three years and got all works for his division.

After countless allegations against the EE he was finally transferred to another district. In 2018-19 financial year, collector K Dhanunjaya Reddy rectified the mistakes by allotting works to all divisions in irrigation department for speedy completion of works. Collector directed the officials concerned to take up works on priority basis to irrigate lands located in tail-end areas.