Minor Irrigation Minister T G Venkatesh on Monday said that 40 lack acres would be brought under minor irrigation by 2014.
Speaking to the media after Chief Minister’s review meeting, Venkatesh said there was potential to bring 40 lakh acres under minor irrigation sources. Presently, some 17 to 20 lakh acres of land was under minor irrigation, he added.
Stating that it was decided to focus on existing minor irrigation projects instead of going for new ones, he said the existing minor irrigation projects should be upgraded and strengthened. Reminding that there were 20,000 tanks in the State, he said that development works would be taken up immediately at 100 tanks.
Pointing out that TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao was camping in New Delhi, he said the people of the Seemandhra region want united Andhra Pradesh as first option and development of backward areas second option. “Whatever may be the decision on Telangana statehood, it would only be taken six months before the 2014 elections”, he opined. (NSS)