The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : TDP sees foul play in canal works

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 28, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

TDP sees foul play in canal works

G.V.R. Subba Rao

Telugu Desam launches attack on the government
No administrative sanction for works, says MLA

Nadikuduru (Krishna District): Delay in repairs and widening of Krishna East Bank Canal has given scope to the opposition TDP to allege irregularities in the works. A substantial difference between the estimates prepared by irrigation officials and the figure of Rs.25 lakhs mentioned by Fisheries Minister Mandali Buddha Prasad as the total value of the works also came in handy for the TDP to launch a tirade against the Government.

TDP’s Nandigama MLA and party district secretary Devineni Umamaheswara Rao on Wednesday visited Nadikuduru and other adjoining villages of Challapalli mandal where the Irrigation Department had taken up canal widening works from June 6. He interacted with Chitturpu Water Users Association (WUA) president D. Gopi Krishna and others to know about canal widening works.

Complaint to MLA

Mr. Gopi Krishna complained to the MLA that irrigation officials had not noted the ‘free levels’ (length, height and breadth) of the canal, which was mandatory before commencing the widening work. Stating that the soil removed from the river bed was dumped on Karakatta (Krishna Left Bank), he said: “Tailend WUAs of Nagayalanka and Konduru were awarded the works completely ignoring the local WUA.”

Mr. Umamaheswara Rao alleged that the works were taken up without the required administrative sanction. In addition, the officials had created records about estimates with back dates, as the matter had come to the notice of the vigilance officials. The works were divided into 15 bits to avoid calling for tenders.

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