KADAPA: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Thursday promised to develop Kadapa district into a role model in micro-irrigation.

Fifty per cent additional ayacut would be developed through micro-irrigation under Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi project so that a tmcft of water would irrigate 15,000 acres, he told newsmen after a detailed review meeting at the collectorate. Galeru Nagari was originally designed with a full reservoir level of 212 ft., he said.

Promising completion of Telugu Ganga project by November this year, he said water would be released to 1.15 lakh acres by then.

Veligallu project was nearing completion and Galeru Nagari and Chitravathi balancing reservoir works were progressing well. Stating that the district administration forwarded a preliminary report on DSC 2006, he assured appropriate action. Rayalaseema Thermal Power Plant would be supplied water through a Rs. 170-crore pipeline from Brahmamsagar reservoir under Telugu Ganga, to avert its closure in August for want of water, he said.

Laying emphasis on promoting dairying, he said the daily milk procurement of 40,000 litres should be hiked to two lakh litres a day within a year.

Assuring loans to dairy farmers, he sought steps for a massive increase in cattle population. He said dairying and sheep-rearing were best alternatives for farmers in drought-prone areas like Kadapa.

Dr. Reddy wanted crop diversification by dissuading groundnut cultivation and promoting pulses, red gram, castor and maize. Kadapa district was third in State Horticulture Mission.

Officials warned

The Chief Minister warned of stern action if lapses occurred in the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme works. Action was initiated against 21 field assistants, eight postmasters and an MPDO, he said.

Land acquisition for ring roads in Kadapa, Vempalle and Pulivendula would be completed by February-end.

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