The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Minister rules out harbour at Bhavanapadu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 18, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Minister rules out harbour at Bhavanapadu

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC. 17. The Minorities Welfare Minister, Fareeduddin Mohammed, has ruled out construction of a harbour at Bhavanapadu in Srikakulam district on the ground that "it is technically not possible."

Replying to a question tabled by Naresh Kumar Agarwal (Congress) in the Assembly during question hour today, the Minister, however, said the Government would soon release the compensation to Ichapuram fishermen in the district against the 165 boats and 93,628 fishing nets lost in the Bahuda river floods last year. The amount would be Rs 12 lakhs against the boats and Rs 199 lakhs for the fishing nets.

Mr. Fareeduddin said the Government had received requisition from the Collector, suggesting payment of compensation payment after estimating the loss at Rs. 3.3 crores.

He told K. Atchannaidu (TDP) two other benefits would soon accrue to the community -- enhancement of diesel subsidy on boats from 1500 to 3,000 litres per year at a cost of Rs. 9 crores per year and construction of houses. The unit cost under the housing programme, however, was reduced to Rs. 25,000 from Rs. 40,000 but this was in line with the reduction in the plinth area.

"No" to road

The Roads & Buildings Minister, J. Ramamohan Rao, turned down a plea by G. S. S. Shivaji (TDP) seeking construction of a road from Ichapuram to Tada parallel to the coastline which had been pending for the past one decade. He said the road would require bridges at least 100 points on the rivers and streams joining the sea.

Mr. Rao denied that the funds of the Adilabad-Anantapur road were diverted to Tamil Nadu at the instance of the Union Minister for Surface Transport or that this road project was privatised now as alleged by T. Devender Goud (TDP). He said the project was being executed with its own funds.

VAT from April 1

The Commercial Taxes Minister, K. Ramakrishna, told Y. Ramakrishnudu (TDP) that VAT would be implemented in the State from April 1 as an understanding was reached finally among States. He said a formula was worked out by the Empowered Committee in coordination with the States for giving compensation to them on VAT implementation. "There are no more obstacles and apprehensions," he declared.

He said the arrears due to the Government under different heads of sales tax till November 30, 2004, amounted to Rs. 2,955 crores. This included Rs. 1,000 crores of "differed payment" due from industries.

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