Blaming the Congress for delay in completion of the Thotapalli project, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said he would ensure that officials completed the project at the earliest, besides releasing water for 1.20 lakh acres for the ensuing kharif. He also vowed to take up “Jala Deeksha”, adding that he would call it off only after all pending projects were completed. Keeping his word, the CM halted for the night at Vullibhadra right bank canal of Thotapalli.
Maintaining that he would support those who had been agitating for the Special Category status, Mr. Naidu said the Centre had been responding positively to his demand for adequate grants to develop AP on par with the neighbouring States.
On loan waiver for DWCRA groups, he said the government had decided to bear Rs. 1,200 crore that the groups had paid as interest even after his promise to waive their loans. The CM also made an aerial survey of the Thotapalli project works, besides inspecting the spillway and interacting with farmers at the project site. He said he would speak to his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik and clear minor irritants for the completion of the Jhanjhavati project.
In attempt to create awareness among farmers, Mr. Naidu removed silt from Musalinaidu MI tank with a proclain, loaded a tractor and drove it to the meeting venue. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Poornapadu-Labesu Bridge across river Nagavali which is estimated to cost Rs. 9.98crore.
Centre responding positively to demand for adequate grants to develop AP, says Naidu
