The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Top priority for irrigation: YSR

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Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Top priority for irrigation: YSR

By Our Staff Reporter

KURNOOL, APRIL 11. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on Monday said the Pragati Patham programme was launched to assess the functioning of the Government at the grassroots level and called upon officials to be accountable to people in execution of works.

Addressing a meeting at Pandurangapuram near Nandyal in Kurnool district on Monday as part of the Pragati Patham programme, Dr. Reddy said despite scanty rainfall, farmers in the area achieved good productivity because of proper functioning of canal systems. He asked villagers to draw a comparison between the former TDP government and the present Government in taking drought mitigation measures.

He said many parts of the State reeled under severe drought conditions in the last eight years but the previous Government grossly neglected it. Dr. Reddy said as the first measure, the Congress Government waived power tariff arrears to the tune of Rs. 1,300 crores and announced free power. But the TDP made fun of their promise and said the conductor would be useful to hang clothes since no power flowed through them. He said 50,000 connections were issued under the free power scheme.

Pro-poor agenda

Saying the AICC president, Sonia Gandhi, had asked him to ensure that everybody in the State wore a smile on his/her face, Dr. Reddy highlighted the priority given to irrigation projects. The Government planned to construct houses for 40 lakh families during the next four years to provide houses to all.

The MP, SPY Reddy, and MLAs were present.

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