The Minister for Municipal Administration M Maheedhar Reddy said that central government had cleared funding to Andhra Pradesh under the second phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the renovated building of the Press Club at Rajahmundry today, the Minister said already under the first phase of the scheme various developmental workers were taken up at a cost of Rs 14,000 crore in 87 municipalities of which works were completed in 48 Municipalities. Now under the second phase of funding, developmental works such as drinking water schemes, drainage and other infrastructure facilities would be taken up. Responding to the representation of GVS Harshakumar MP, the Minister said, adding funds to the tune of Rs 50 lakh each by Municipalities and state government would be provided for purchase of lands required for the burial grounds in each municipality and Parks also would be developed in all the municipalities by spending Rs 15 crore by end of 2013.
The Minister clarified that merger of surrounding villages in the municipalities was proposed only with the view to develop the basic infrastructure facilities but not with any other motive. He said government was prepared to hold the municipal elections soon after the present census was completed. Since lot of exercise is required for providing reservations, he said, it require 45 days time to hold the elections to municipalities from the date of completion of the census.
GVS Harshakumar Amalapuram MP, Routhu Surya Prakasarao MLA, Kandula Durgesh MLC and Gorantla Buchaiah Choudary ex-MLA were among those addressed the meeting. UNI