The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Funds sought for Pranahita-Chevella

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 09, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Funds sought for Pranahita-Chevella

Staff Reporter

AP Rytu Sangham demands Rs. 4,000 cr. for speedy completion of the project

‘State’s declaration that the project will be completed by 2012 is misleading’
‘Government has allocated only Rs.260 crore for it in this year’s budget’

SANGAREDDY: Andhra Pradesh Rytu Sangham State general secretary Sarampalli Mallareddy demanded a minimum of Rs. 4,000 crore budgetary allocation every year for four years for the speedy completion of the ambitious Pranahita Chevella project aimed to irrigate lands in eight districts in Telangana.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday he pointed out that the recent advertisement by the State Government declaring that the project would be completed by 2012 is misleading.

He questioned the intentions of the Government which has allocated only Rs. 260 crore for the project in this year’s budget. He alleged that the State Government has been neglecting the issue of utilisation of Godavari water.

He announced that the Sangham has called for a ‘Chalo Assembly’ programme on 19 to demand increased allocation for farming sector in the State budget which would be followed by a public meeting. He said that the agitation for Godavari water would be intensified after the rally.

Commenting on the loan waiver announced by the Union Finance Minister , Mallareddy said that only ten to twelve thousand farmers in the State would benefit from the scheme.

Pointing out the different statements made by the Union Agriculture Minister and the Chief Minister on the cut off date for the waiver, he said that it’s a deliberate effort to confuse the farmer. He said only 20 per cent of farmers would benefit if the cut off date is March 2007.

The APRS demanded extension of cut off date to the day of budget presentation to provide benefit to maximum number of farmers.

Demanding the State Government to convene a meeting with the State-level bankers committee (SLBC) and the farmers associations immediately , he wanted the Chief Minister to release State Government’s share of the Prime Minister’s package for farmers in distress in 16 districts.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh