The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Rosaiah's plea to Opposition parties

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 06, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Rosaiah's plea to Opposition parties

Special Correspondent

Planning Commission members invited to inspect work

HYDERABAD: A day after the State successfully got the nod for the largest-ever plan outlay fixed at Rs. 20,000 crores for the second successive year, Finance Minister K. Rosaiah has appealed to the Opposition parties not to obstruct the construction of irrigation projects.

Speaking to reporters on his return from New Delhi on Wednesday, Mr. Rosaiah said the plan outlay was appreciated by the Planning Commission members who evinced interest about how the Government would go about construction of the irrigation projects. They were furnished detailed information about the project-wise ayacut and the quantum of water required to irrigate them. "The outlay also mentioned the time frame and the amount to be spent on each irrigation project," he added.

"Now that the State has secured the highest ever plan outlay, I appeal to the Opposition parties to cooperate and pave the way for construction of the irrigation projects," he said.

Relief package

The State has evolved the best relief and rehabilitation package and it was unfortunate that some oustees were agitating on the ground that the promised compensation was not satisfactory.

Referring to the agitation by oustees of Gundlakamma project, Mr. Rosaiah said the Government had assured them fair compensation and would take all steps to redress their grievances.

He said Commission members were surprised that AP Transco had not hiked the power tariff for the last two years.

They made enquiries about free power and reduction of industrial tariff for the second consecutive year. It was explained to them that power saving devices used by the farmers also reduced the burden.

The Government has invited Planning Commission members to visit the State some time in September/October and inspect the irrigation projects.

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