The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : KCR's right to seek relocation of Pulichintala questioned

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 06, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

KCR's right to seek relocation of Pulichintala questioned

By Our Special Correspondent

VIJAYAWADA, OCT. 5. The Congress legislator from Kankipadu Assembly constituency, Devineni Rajasekhar (Nehru), has questioned the right of the president of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Union Minister, K. Chandrasekhara Rao, in demanding the relocation of the Pulichintala project.

Addressing a news conference here on Tuesday, Mr. Rajasekhar said that all the necessary permissions were obtained for the project, except environmental clearance. He felt that Mr. Rao was trying to "somehow obstruct" the efforts of the Chief Minister in taking up the project works. "We will ensure that the works are commenced as per schedule and none can stop them," he asserted. He recalled that the MLAs and Ministers of the TRS also had clarified on the floor of the Assembly during the recent budget session that they had no objection to the construction of the Pulichintala project.

`Maintain restraint'

He advised the Union Minister not to "play with the sentiments" of people with regard to sensitive issues and maintain restraint like a "true alliance partner" and appreciate the commitment of the State Government in taking up irrigation projects.

Change of location would mean many more years of preparatory exercise for obtaining various clearances. "Is it possible," asked the legislator. He said that the coastal districts were given a raw deal over the years and the revenue generated in these districts was invested in setting up projects and industries in Hyderabad and other Telangana districts.

No leader from coastal Andhra was averse to development of Telangana and completion of irrigation projects there. The Union Minister would have to look at all three regions of the State alike. Polavaram, Pulichintala and Dummugudem projects would be completed by the YSR Government, he observed.

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