All mandals declared drought-hit: Somireddy

Kadapa: After attending a review meeting on prevailing dry spell conditions, the state government declared all the mandals in the district as drought-hit, said Agriculture Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy on Wednesday. Speaking to the media along with Marketing Minister C Adinarayana Reddy, Somireddy stated scanty rainfall was recorded in the months of June and July.

To overcome the existing drought situation, the Minister mentioned the government would release Rs 40 crore immediately for drinking water and providing fodder for animals. Due to effective implementation of the ‘Neeru-Pragathi’ programme in the district, the groundwater levels improved from 23 metres to 19 metres.

“The government is taking measures to maintain 19 tmcft of water in all 13 reservoirs,” Somireddy said. He defended the government for construction of the Pattiseema Project as the government was able to release water to Prakasam Barrage from Pattiseema with less availability of water in Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir. Replying to a question over stoppage of water to KC Canal from Srisailam reservoir, the Minister said 10 tmcft of water would be released to protect the crops.

Finding fault with the YSRCP MPs and MLAs, Somireddy flayed the party for lacking clarity over the development of the state. The YSRCP always concerned about coming to power in the next elections, he criticised. To prevent migration from the district, Adinarayana Reddy said the government had already spent Rs 200 crore under the NREGS in the last 3 months and proposed to spend Rs 250 crore in the next four months. District Collector Ch Hari Kiran, TTD Chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadav and other officials were present.