Mentapally village sets many records

Wanaparthy (Mahabubnagar): Apart from being an open defecation-free village, the remote village implements 100 per cent prohibition. This is about Mentapally village in the mandal, which has become a model for other villages in the region. The village received the Best Panchayat Award at the district level at the second Telangana State Formation Day celebrations held recently.

This village is making strides after Telangana State Planning Commission vice chairman Niranjan Reddy launched a plan of action to ensure its all-round development. Basic infrastructure in the village was developed first. CC roads and culverts were constructed. New power lines were laid. Tap connections were given to houses in the village.

It also became the first open defecation free village in the district as all the households got individual toilets. Five plants were distributed to each house in the village to promote greenery. Plantation of 25,000 saplings was taken up under the Haritha Haram programme. Emphasis was laid on scientific disposal of garbage. Garbage bins were set up in all wards of the panchayat. Households were also provided bins for hassle free collection of garbage.

For the first time in the district, a dumping yard was set up in Mentapally panchayat. Horticulture is also being promoted under the watershed programme. Steps were also taken to develop the school in the village. The dropout rate in the school was curbed by motivating parents. A one km ring road was also laid to ensure the smooth passage of vehicular traffic after acquisition of land. Beautification of the village was also given priority.

Besides getting funds sanctioned by the state government for various development works in the village, the TSPC Vice-Chairman also sought the aid of corporates to promote its speedy economic growth. A BT road costing Rs 1.09 crore was sanctioned from Mentapally to Williamkonda connecting National Highway No 44.

The Collector allocated Rs 7.5 lakh for Mentapally for construction of CC roads and development of drainage. A proposal was also made for setting up of a sewage treatment plant to conserve water. Niranjan Reddy recently inaugurated an RO plant set up in the village with the aid of Aurobindo company to supply protected water to people. The village also stood first in collection of house tax in the district.

Mentapally sarpanch Purushotham Reddy who is overseeing the effective implementation of development works in the village, took an initiative to make it dry. Villagers took a pledge that they would ensure total prohibition in the village by shunning consumption of liquor. Installation of the statues of Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Architect of Indian Constitution BR Ambedkar and Telangana ideologue K Jayashankar was also proposed to promote patriotic spirit among people.

All the people irrespective of their party affiliations are making collective efforts to make Mentapally the best panchayat in the state. After seeing the rapid transformation and growth of the village within a short span of time, many district officials are of the view that the chances of Mentapally getting the Best Panchayat Award in the state are bright.

Speaking to The Hans India, Purushotham Reddy who received Swachh Bharat Award from Panchayat Raj Minister Jupally Krishna Rao and Collector TK Sridevi recently, said ``Our aim is to develop Mentapally as a model village in Telangana. We hope that our collective efforts will fructify soon.’’

By Sunkari Nagesh