Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao here on Sunday directed the officials concerned to speed up construction of irrigation projects on a war-footing and ensure flow of water into the parched agricultural fields in the State. As there are no problems of funds and land acquisition, the officials should relentlessly work and achieve their first target of irrigating parched farm lands, especially in Mahbubnagar district, and wipe tears of the farming community, he added.
Holding a review meeting in his camp office here on Sunday, the Chief Minister asked the officials to chalk out a necessary plan of action to execute the project works expeditiously in the wake of completion of tender process for lift irrigation projects. The Chief Minister pointed out that the State government was allocating Rs 25,000 crore every year to the Irrigation sector to complete the projects early. Besides, with the initiative taken by Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, the Union government has sanctioned Rs 3000 crore for the purpose, he added.
The Chief Minister said there need not be any doubts over the funds for the projects as the government has released Rs 2,000 crore for clearing the bills of the contractors. Stating that 60% of land acquisition process for Palamur lift irrigation project was completed, KCR said the government was taking steps to recruit staff, purchasing equipment and vehicles for the new irrigation projects. Exhorting the officials to execute the works on a fast pace, the Chief Minister advised them to pay the bills promptly for the works done and there should not be delay under any circumstances.
The Chief Minister asked Mahbubnagar district Collector Sridevi to expedite the process of the remaining land acquisition and also directed Finance Secretary Ramakrishna Rao to release the required funds immediately. Stating that 15 lakh acres in Mahbubnagar district would come under irrigation on completion of the ongoing projects, the Chief Minister exuded confidence that migration of Palamur labour would come to a grinding halt and those who left the district in search of greener pastures would return home happily. Reminding that the people of Mahbubnagar district were anxiously waiting for the river waters for the parched lands, he asked the officials to spare no efforts and strive to realize the dreams of the distressed farmers.
Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, Industries Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Advisor to Govt Papa Rao, MLA Vemula Prashant Reddy, Principal Secretary of Irrigation S K Joshi and others were present. (NSS)