The State government has taken a serious note of sentiments of Krishna Delta farmers and would take necessary steps to release irrigation water, according to district in-charge Minister Galla Aruna Kumari.
The Minister chaired the District Review Committee (DRC) meeting here on Monday. Disclosing the details of meeting, Ms. Aruna Kumari said a GO 69 issued during the Telugu Desam government came in the way of release of irrigation waters from Nagarjuna Sagar Project.
The GO 69 made it mandatory to maintain 510 feet level at Nagarjuna Sagar Project for drinking purposes. The Advocate General was studying the High Court’s recent orders. The government would take suitable action and ensure that the farmers do not incur any loss, she assured people.
The minutes of the DRC meeting regarding Krishna Delta farmers would be brought to the notice of the Chief Minister. The government would explore the possibilities, including legal options, to safeguard the interests of Delta farmers, she said.
The government has set a target to complete the irrigation projects by 2014. However, there was a delay in execution of the works due to shortage of sand. The sand scarcity arose following petitions filed in High Court and Supreme Court. To tide over the crisis, the government has asked the irrigation department to desilt 17 irrigation projects. The sand thus dug out would be utilised for irrigation works, she said.
Power crisis
On power front, she said many states across the country were facing power shortage. The demand rose by 15 per cent in the State. The hydel power generation came to a halt as there was no requisite water in reservoirs. The gas based power generation units were not functioning at installed capacity due to shortage of gas supply.
The Centre has agreed to provide gas to generate another 500 MW power. Notwithstanding the power shortage, the government has asked the discoms to ensure 7-hour power supply to agriculture, she said.
Referring to input subsidy given to farmers, the Minister said it was decided to convene a meeting with the bankers to explore the possibility of paying interest on input subsidy if the payment was delayed, she added.
Secondary Education Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy, MP Lagadapati Rajagopal, MLAs Malladi Vishnu, Jogi Ramesh, and Perni Venkata Ramaiah, Collector S.A.M. Rizvi, DRDA project director M. Janaki, Vijayawada Municipal Commissioner Md. Abdul Azeem were among those present.
