ON DEVELOPMENT `BAATA': Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy laying foundation stone for civic amenities in Markapur town on Sunday. Finance Minister K. Rosaiah, MP of Narsaraopet M. Rajamohan Reddy, district Collector B. Udaya Lakshmi and Markapur MLA Konda Reddy are also seen.

ONGOLE: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has said that the Congress is keeping its poll promises on free power, irrigation projects and five per cent reservation for Muslims and striving hard to develop backward regions in the State in a bid to usher in `Indiramma rajyam' under the leadership of the party president Sonia Gandhi.

Addressing a public meeting held at the Clock Tower Centre in Markapur on Sunday, he said that the Velugonda project would be completed in the next 2-3 years to provide Krishna water for irrigating 4-lakh acres in the drought-prone areas of Prakasam district.

The people of Markapur region had been fighting for the project for over five decades. But, no Government bothered to meet their demand, he said.

Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy said that he had a feeling of fulfilment when he saw a glow on the faces of the people of this region on the day he laid the foundation stone for the project six months ago. He said that the Government was committed to exploiting Krishna water to the fullest extent for the benefit of backward regions.

Warm welcome

He also promised to solve the drinking water problem plaguing the town. Tenders had been called for to take up the Rs. 30-crore project to meet the drinking water needs of Markaur with Nagarjunasagar water.

Dr. Reddy was given a warm welcome when he went through the narrow lanes of the town. People thronged his vehicle to give representations, to reel out their woes or just to have a glimpse. Some Muslim youths held placards that read "thanks for providing five per cent reservation for Muslims."

He said that house-sites would be sanctioned for all homeless persons and ration cards had already been issued to all applicants. The Government was doing everything to improve civic amenities in municipal towns.

Markapur MLA Konda Reddy sought municipal vegetable market complex, shadikhana for Muslims, check-dams across Gundlakamma and desilting of Markapur tank.

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