KHAMMAM: The CPI (M) will go all out for the implementation of the Dummugudem lift irrigation schemes aimed at extending irrigation facility for over 6.5 lakh acres, according to Thammineni Veerabhadram, MLA and central Committee member.

Addressing a news conference along with party district secretary P. Sudarshan and Khammam District Cooperative Central Bank chairman T. S. Prasad on Saturday, he said that the assurances given by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on the implementation of the project turned out to be a mere lip service.

Work yet to begin

Though the foundation stone was laid months ago, the work on the project is yet to start. The Government has failed to allocate funds in the budget for the lift schemes, which would cost Rs. 4,000 crores.

The CPI(M) leaders stated that the party would lay siege to the Collectorate on May 22 to demand the implementation of the project immediately. The project, which was to be completed in two years time, was being paid scant attention by the Government. The Chief Minister who was keen on going ahead with the Polavaram project even without obtaining necessary clearances was adopting dilatory tactics so far as Dummugudem was concerned, they said.

The CPI (M), which had already taken up a programme for mobilising public opinion on the Dummugudem project issue, organised public meetings in about 1,800 villages in the district.

He appealed to all the elected representatives in the district, including the Congress Party MLAs to support the party's initiative.

Panchayat polls

The CPI(M) leaders made it clear that the party would stake claim for the Zilla Parishad Chairmanship this time. They said that the party would have an electoral alliance with the Congress and the CPI to fight the panchayat polls. The party has its own strategy for the elections and its efforts to consolidate its strength in the grassroots level would certainly pay off, they added.

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