Accusing Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of claiming credit for the Polavaram irrigation project by ensuring execution of just 20% works, YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday said 80-90% of the works on the left and right canals of the project had been completed during the tenure of his father and former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.
The TDP government built just the diaphragm wall, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy said.
“Mr. Naidu claims that he is responsible for the execution of 55% the project work. He is underestimating the people time and again. The Chief Minister is under the impression that he can claim credit by making use of the publicity,” Mr. Jagan said while addressing a meeting on the 190th day of his Praja Sankalpa Yatra here.
‘Corruption rampant’
“Hardly 7 lakh cubic metres of earthwork has been completed at the project site, and this is the reality. Mr. Naidu is making tall claims that the project will be completed soon and huge extent of barren land will be cultivable,” he said. The YSRCP leader alleged that corruption was rampant in governance in the State in general and in Polavaram project in particular.
“Sand is not available for people. Farmers have neither loan waiver nor an opportunity to raise fresh loan. Members of women self-help groups are still waiting for financial support promised by Mr. Naidu. These are the ground realities. The massive campaign undertaken by the Chief Minister is far from reality,” Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy said.
The people of the Godavari region had great respect for both Sir Arthur Cotton and Rajasekhara Reddy for providing irrigation to the delta and making lands fertile, he observed.
“If the YSRCP is voted to power, agriculture sector will be given top priority. The interests of all sections of people will be protected,” he said.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with women engaged in the making mango jelly and listened to their woes.
They complained to him about huge electricity bills and absence of loan waiver for them.
