MLC to launch 2-month yatra on Rayalaseema’s demands

Beginning August 24, the campaign to cover Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur and Chittoor districts

MLC M.Geyanand addressing the media in Kurnool on Saturday. —PHOTO: U.SUBRAMANYAM

Progressive Democratic Front MLC M. Geyanand said on Saturday that he would launch a two-month-long yatra at Gulyam village in the backward Alur mandal in Kurnool district on August 24 to focus on the demands for special category status, special package for Rayalaseema and apathy towards the Rayalseema region.

The yatra, under the aegis of the Rayalaseema Abhivruddhi Vedika, would go round 180 mandals in Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur and Chittoor districts and end on October 21, Mr. Geyanand told the media here on Saturday. The yatra would cover Kurnool district from August 24 to September 10, Kadapa district from September 11 to 26, Anantapur district from September 27 to October 11 and Chittoor district from October 12 to 21, he said.

‘Assurances unfulfilled’

The State government has been concentrating on Amaravati and coastal Andhra districts and neglecting Rayalaseema, the MLC alleged. Promises such as establishment of a mining institute in Kurnool and upgrading of Kurnool general hospital into a superspeciality facility, steel plant at Kadapa and a Central university at Anantapur remained unfulfilled though two years elapsed since the bifurcation of the State, he said.

The plight of Rayalaseema which was yearning for drinking and irrigation water and the demand for maintaining the storage level till 854 feet in the Srisailam reservoir were ignored and water was being released to the Krishna delta, he said. Accusing the Chandrababu Naidu government of being lax in pressurising the Centre on the special category status and a special package for Rayalaseema, he demanded a special package of Rs. 50,000 crore for Rayalaseema.

‘No clear policy’

The State government lacked a clear policy on development of Rayalaseema, Mr. Geyanand remarked. The promises to construct Gundrevula and Vedavati projects, Rajolibanda diversion scheme canal and Siddheswaram weir made no headway.

He wanted steps to develop Rayalaseema University. He said he would raise the issues in the ensuing A.P. Legislative Council session.

Vedika district convenor B.L. Prasada Sharma and member A. Venkat also took part.