Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan lays stone for ₹1,290-crore Jal Jeevan Mission works in Prakasam district
Endowments Minister and district in-charge Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Social Welfare Minister Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, and Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy were among others present.
Before addressing a public meeting on the occasion, Mr. Pawan Kalyan paid tributes to revolutionary freedom fighter Alluri Sitharama Raju on his birth anniversary.
Later, addressing the people, Mr. Pawan Kalyan recalled the courage with which Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu, first Chief Minister of the erstwhile Andhra State, had fought during the freedom struggle.
Stating that his (Mr. Pawan Kalyan) family resided at Kanigiri 40 years ago but had to leave the place in six months due to severe water problem and fluoride issue, the Deputy Chief Minister said it was the reason behind his decision to accord priority to Prakasam district while sanctioning the JJM works in the State.
'Biggest scheme'
'This is the first biggest drinking water supply scheme since Independence in the district with funds of ₹1,290 crore being spent in the first phase. Once completed, the scheme will supply drinking water to over 10 lakh population spread over 578 villages of 18 mandals in seven Assembly constituencies – Markapuram, Yerragondapalem, Giddaluru, Kondapi, Kanigiri, Kandukuru and Darsi – for the next 30 years,' he said.
Under the scheme, one water treatment plant, 19 sumps, 31 overhead balancing reservoirs, 334 overhead tanks, and pipelines of more than 5,000-km length would be laid to supply drinking water through the Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said, adding that it would be completed in 18-20 months if funds were released as planned.
Dig at YSRCP
He lambasted the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government for not completing the Veligonda project during its term.
The YSRCP leaders did not launch a single water project during their five-year term, but inaugurated an incomplete project ahead of elections, he said. If they were really committed, they would have taken steps to complete the projects in the first year of their term, he observed.
The YSRCP government had availed of huge loans but couldn't complete any project, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said. 'The Veligonda project needs ₹4,000 crore, and a major chunk of the funds are necessary for land acquisition alone,' he said. The Centre had given ₹26,000 crore to the JJM works across the State, but the YSRCP government spent only ₹4,000 crore for laying pipes, he added.
The Central government thought of stopping the release of JJM funds as the State was unable to spend the matching grant, he said. 'I personally met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil to seek ₹87,000 crore required for the JJM works across the State. Because of the alliance, the Central government supported the State by continuing the JJM funds,' he added.
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