Listing irrigation and drinking water as priority issues, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday asserted that the TDP government’s resolve would be to develop a smart water grid in two to three years to overcome water scarcity, either because of deficit rainfall or drought, in future.
“This can be achieved by interlinking all rivers and major and minor irrigation tanks across the State. It is possible and every village and every farmer should take part in this mission by saving precious water resources,” said Mr. Naidu.
Presiding over the ‘Janmabhoomi-Maa Vooru’ programme at Chennuru near Gudur on Tuesday, Mr. Naidu called upon the people to “be grateful” to the government and encourage it to successfully carry forward the task of implementing welfare programmes and building the newly created State, regardless of the available scarce resources and revenues.
When a group of farmers raised slogans seeking water for crops, Mr. Naidu clarified that there was 67 per cent deficit rainfall in Nellore district and it would be possible to provide water from Somasila and Kandaleru only to save the existing crop.
Stating that linking of the Krishna and Godavari rivers was successfully carried out, Mr. Naidu stressed the need for interlinking the Krishna and Penna rivers, besides linking irrigation tanks in the rural areas to make optimum utilisation of water.
Mr. Naidu said that pension payments were being made promptly to all the eligible beneficiaries.
‘If anyone is not given pension, serious action is taken. In the past, these pensions were also taken away by unscrupulous elements,” he added.
Reviewing the implementation of health, education, irrigation, and other programmes in Chennuru, Mr. Naidu made a special mention of introduction of English lessons in anganwadi schools.
He lauded Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana for making it a success in Nellore and Chittoor districts, saying that it would be extended to all schools in the State.
In-charge Minister Sidda Raghava Rao, District Collector R. Mutyala Raju, SP Vishal Gunni, MLA P. Sunil Kumar, MLCs Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, Beeda Ravichandra, and Vakati Narayana Reddy were present.
On arrival at the venue, the Chief Minister was welcomed with a performance of ‘kolatam’ by rural artistes. Later, he witnessed a special ‘kabaddi’ match played by players drawn from villages and organised by the sports officials.
Accompanied by Ministers, MLAs, MLCs and officials, Mr. Naidu visited the stalls opened by the Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Women and Child Welfare, Fisheries, Irrigation, Handlooms and Textiles departments.
