SRIKAKULAM: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Saturday announced Rs.40 crores for undertaking temporary repairs to all flood-affected works like irrigation sources, roads etc.

He also directed officials to prepare plans for permanent restoration of all works, specially strengthening of embankments of the Vamsadhara and the Nagavali.

Reviewing flood relief works at the Zilla Parishad here, the Chief Minister announced supply of seed on subsidy and sanction of houses under various housing schemes.

He promised all possible help for restoration of normal life. Funds would not be a constraint and the district Collector could draw the required amount under Treasury Rule 27 without waiting for any sanction from the Government.

Slanging match

At one time, the review meeting turned out to be a slanging match between TDP MP Kinjarapu Yerrannaidu and MLA Atchaiah Naidu on one side and Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao on the other.

An evidently inconvenienced Chief Minister asked Mr. Yerrannaidu not to misuse the platform meant to review flood relief works.

At the same time, the Chief Minister asked Collector V.N. Vishnu to attend to issues raised by the TDP MP and the MLA.

Trouble started when Mr. Yerrannaidu pointed out to the huge damages to irrigation sources and observed that had permanent measures been taken up after the 2005 floods much damage could have been avoided. Mr. Dharmana Prasada Rao was quick to point out why such permanent measures were not taken up during the 10-year rule of TDP. Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy's Government would respond to all issues promptly and instructions were already issued to officials concerned to prepare a plan for permanent repairs to the Vamsadhara and the Nagavali embankments.

Mr. Atchaih Naidu pointed out that not a single work was taken up to damaged sources though the Government had sanctioned Rs.20 crores. This was, however, contested by the officials. Earlier, a visual presentation of damage due to flood was organised by Mr. Vishnu. The Chief Minister also saw a photo exhibition organised by the Information Department.

Poll put off

Elections to five gram panchayats viz Jalamu,Bittarampuram and Thamadam villages Kaviti mandal and Khandiam and Purli villages in Regidi mandal had been postponed because floods which had made these villages inaccessible. Elections to all the remaining villages in Palakonda division would be conducted as per scheduled tomorrow. The SEC would decide the date on which elections would be conducted to these five villages.

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