The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Ministers to probe Kolleru lake encroachment after session

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 17, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Ministers to probe Kolleru lake encroachment after session

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC.16. T he group of six Ministers constituted to look into the encroachment in Kolleru lake area would make spot inspections after the Assembly session, the Forest Minister, S.Vijayarama Raju, said today.

Replying to a question by D.Rajasekhar (Congress) during question hour in the Assembly, he promised that all measures would be taken to prevent encroachments in the lake. Admitting that some persons had encroached the lands, he said that in order to recover the lands, 2/3rd (175 km) sanctuary boundary was demarcated, 54 fish tanks were breached, 132 cases were booked by the Forest Department and 1230 offenders arrested and sent to judicial remand.

The Forest Department's field staff was instructed to verify the revenue records and the police to furnish details of the influential persons involved in illegal occupation of lake area. Regular patrolling was also undertaken to prevent further encroachments.

The Endowments Minister, M.Satyanarayana Rao, informed G S S Sivaji (TDP) that dilapidated temples were being renovated with Common Good Fund and resources were being mobilised, including from the TTD. He assured that the amounts would be sanctioned within two months. He also urged the Finance Minister, K.Rosaiah, to come to the rescue of his department.

Responding to the pleas from members of various parties to increase the allowances to home guards, the Home Minister, K.Jana Reddy, said the Government would examine it. Answering the main question, he told A.Vivekananda Reddy (Cong) and others that home guards were not appointed for the security of Government hospitals in the State. However, as per the local requirements, they are deputed to assist the local police.

Community societies

The Municipal Administration Minister, K.Ranga Rao, told N.Diwakar Rao (Cong) and others that a decision had been taken to abolish the community development societies of all municipalities in the next few days. He said the terms of the societies had expired in 2002 and it was proposed to conduct elections to them.

BVSc seats

Intervening to answer supplementaries, the Agriculture Minister, N.Raghuveera Reddy, said that it was decided to increase the seats for bachelor of veterinary science to 300 next year from the existing 170. Earlier, the Animal Husbandry Minister, G.Surya Rao, told K.Venkat Reddy (Cong) that there was no acute shortage of staff in the veterinary hospitals.

The Labour Minister, G.Vinod, assured members that the GO restricting inspections of premises would not be put into practice and the act would be changed. Replying to the main question by M A Gafoor (CPI-M) and others, he said that the Government has instructed all heads of departments to take care of minimum wages fixed as well as contributions towards PF @ 13.61 per cent and @ 4.75 per cent respectively for the benefit of contract labour. He said the Labour Advisory Board would be constituted.

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