1,449 cr to overcome water crisis in State: Lokesh

Kurnool: Minister for Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Information and Technology Nara Lokesh said that the TDP is the only party which is committed to people’s welfare.

The Minister visited Kurnool on Monday on a two-day visit to the district. Lokesh participated in a series of inauguration and foundation stone laying functions. He also interacted with self-help groups belonging to Muslim minorities at Osmania College.

Lokesh said despite revenue deficit of Rs 16,000 crore, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was developing the State on all fronts. The Chief Minister fulfilled his promise by giving Rs 10,000 to every DWACRA woman, waived farmers’ loans and provided pensions to the disabled, widows and the aged.

He said 29 lakh houses have been constructed across the State without compromising on quality and concrete cement roads were built at a stretch of 20,000 kilometres.

In Kurnool alone, about 1,340 kilometres of concrete cement roads were laid besides laying of BT roads at a stretch of 1,106 kilometers. “We have also planned a permanent solution to overcome the drinking water crisis and to overcome the problem we are investing Rs 1,449 crore. A water grid has been planned to set up with a cost of Rs 22 cores,” he said.

Highlighting the achievements of the TDP government, he said Urdu University in Kurnool was another achievement of the party. He pointed out that Rs 50,000 was being extended to every newly-wedded couple under Dulhan scheme. The government also enhanced the salaries of Imams and Mouzams to Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000 respectively.

Earlier, Lokesh laid foundation stone for the construction of bridge from Jammi Chettu to Ambedkar Bhavan at a cost of Rs 17 crore. He laid stones for the development of Hindu and Muslim burial grounds at old town in Kurnool at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore. Lokesh also inaugurated the newly constructed Panchyat Raj Bhavan.

Later, the Minister visited Nandikotkur where he laid foundation stones for water pipeline being laid at a cost of Rs 45 lakh and for construction of underground drainage system at a cost of Rs 3.55 crore.

Legislative Council Chairman N MD Farooq said the TDP government was giving top priority to development of all communities in the State. He said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had become role model for Chief Ministers of other States in the country.

MLC K E Prabhakar, MLAs of Kodumuru and Srisailam Mani Gandhi and Budda Rajasekhar Reddy respectively, Chairman of Kurnool Urban Development Authority (KUDA) Somi Shetty Venkateshwarulu and Kurnool Collector S Sathyanarayana were present.