PM must reveal stand on SCS, spl. package: MLC

Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) MLC M. Geyanand on Thursday demanded that the Prime Minister make a categorical announcement on the Centre’s stand on the demands for special category status for Andhra Pradesh and special package for Rayalaseema, before visiting the State to lay the foundation stone for Amaravati.

Addressing CPI(M) activists, who were staging a dharna before the Kurnool Collectorate, he said SCS, Rs. 50,000-crore package for Rayalaseema and a Rs. 10,000-crore package for the development of Kurnool district were the need of the hour.

The MLC accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of ignoring the parched and backward Rayalaseema region and focusing on Amaravati.

“Mr. Naidu offered nearly 22 promises to develop Kurnool district while addressing the first Independence Day celebrations here post-bifurcation but has failed to keep any of them,” he alleged.

Dr. Geyanand demanded that the Centre announce the Handri Neeva and Galeru Nagari projects as national projects and sought allocation of necessary funds for their early completion.

The MLC called for the construction of a parallel canal by increasing the height of the Rajolibanda diversion scheme to utilise the 4 tmcft water allotted by the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal.

The MLC demanded the setting up of industries on barren lands.

“Steel and cement plants should be set up, and employment opportunities generated. A DRDO unit as well as a railway coach factory should be set up and closed industries must be revived,” he said.

Mr. Geyanand also demanded the upgrading of the Kurnool General Hospital, allocation of Rs. 100 crore to Rayalaseema University and the establishment of an Urdu university in Kurnool. “NREGS works should be provided for 200 days a year with a daily wage of Rs. 250 to prevent migration,” he said. He wanted waiver of all types of farmer loans to avert farmer suicides.

He sought setting up of an IT hub at Kurnool and textile parks at Adoni and Yemmiganur.

CPI(M) district secretary K. Prabhakara Reddy and leaders Pulla Reddy and K. Nirmalamma were present.

Construct parallel canal by increasing the height of the Rajolibanda diversion scheme to utilise 4 tmcft water allotted by the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal

M. Geyanand

MLC