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CM agrees to take up tunnel works on SLBC

By Our Staff Reporter

NARKETPALLY (NALGONDA DT.), AUG. 12. In a major policy decision on the irrigation front, the Chief Minister, Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, has agreed to take up the tunnel works from Srisailam reservoir to Akkampally as part of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project and complete the same in three years.

Speaking to reporters after a closed-door meeting with the district MLAs and officials at a private guest house near here on Thursday, he said that all the legislators had `unanimously' requested him to ground tunnel works as "it is the only permanent solution to the water problem being faced by the district.''

``Yes, this (tunnel) is the solution and funds for the purpose would be earmarked in the next budget,'' he maintained. While the Congress MLAs, who made the tunnel construction an election issue, welcomed the decision, leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) asked the Government to accord the administrative sanction to prove its commitment.

Stress on land acquisition

At the meeting as well as at the press meet, he asked the officials to expedite the land acquisition process to complete the ongoing AMRP works, for which Rs.155 crores was earmarked in the budget. "Don't neglect this issue. If necessary, hold lok adalats to clear the cases as early as possible,'' he exhorted. At the review meeting, he instructed the officials not to waste money earmarked for the AMRP works and also asked the electricity officials not to create any hurdles for the free power scheme.

Expressing satisfaction on the state of dry crops under the Nagarjunasagar ayacut, he revealed that an all-party meeting would soon be called to decide the release of water from the project.

Asked whether the Government was offering any medical scheme for the benefit of fluorosis victims, the Chief Minister said that he was ready to offer such facility since it (the decease) is causing heavy damage. "We will respond positively to come to their rescue," he added.

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