Latest news with #Veligonda
Hans India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Minister distributes agricultural equipment
Kondapi: Social Welfare Minister Dr Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy urged farmers to make optimal use of government incentives designed to save time and achieve higher yields at lower costs through new technology and agricultural mechanisation. The minister, along with AP Maritime Board chairman Damacharla Sathyanarayana, distributed agricultural mechanisation equipment, Kisan Drones with an 80 per cent subsidy, and subsidised seeds to farmers at Surareddy Palem in Tanguturu mandal. Speaking at the event, Minister Swamy stated that making agriculture profitable is the primary objective of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. He said that the state government is distributing agricultural equipment to farmers across the state with an investment of Rs 100 crore. He said that agricultural mechanisation equipment worth Rs 3.98 crore is being provided in the district. The minister advised the farmers that they should utilise the government's encouragement to achieve higher yields at lower costs through new technology and agricultural mechanisation. He emphasised that the state government is taking steps to establish 800 village-level Kisan unions across the state to provide drones to farmers. He criticised the previous government for dedicating the incomplete Veligonda project to the nation, thereby deceiving the district people, and assured that only the coalition government will complete the Veligonda project. Responding to the local issues, the minister said that proposals worth Rs 450 crore have been sent to provide drinking water to villages in the region from Ramatheertham Reservoir. Meanwhile, filters will be installed to supply safe drinking water from the pond. The programme was attended by District Agriculture Officer Srinivasa Rao, Sarpanch Sailaja, mandal agriculture officials, mandal public representatives, farmer beneficiaries, and community members.
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Veligonda project remedy for fluorosis: Dinakar
Ongole: The 20-Point Programme Implementation Committee chairman Lanka Dinakar conducted a review of drinking water issues, fluoride contamination, and implementation of the centrally-sponsored schemes and programmes in the Prakasam district with collector A Thameem Ansariya and other district officials at the Collectorate here on Tuesday. He discussed the reasons for the drought and water crisis in the district and opined that the speedy completion of the Pula Subbaiah Veligonda Project is the remedy to the water problems. Dinakar observed that the Prakasam district faces dual challenges of water scarcity and severe fluoride contamination, particularly in western regions. Out of 1769 villages across 729 panchayats in the district, 1009 villages are affected by fluoride contamination, and only 27 of them are being provided safe drinking water by the government. He said that the Kanigiri assembly constituency has become a hub for chronic kidney ailments, where the fluoride in water is up to 6.40 PPM when the maximum permissible PPM is just 1.50. Dinakar said that of the 51 mandals declared drought-affected in the state, 17 are in Prakasam district, with 11 facing severe drought conditions. In western Prakasam, 93 villages across 12 mandals are severely affected, with groundwater levels dropping to 63.50 meters below the surface at Dornala. He observed that Yerragondapalem, which is designated as an Aspiration Block by the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, has shown progress in six key indicators. The officials reported to him achievements including 91 percent registration for pregnant women's protection, 81 percent diabetes and BP testing, 100 per cent nutritional food distribution for pregnant women, 45 per cent issuance of soil health cards, and 60 per cent revolving fund distribution to self-help groups. He announced that plans have been prepared to address drinking water shortages of 4 MLD in Ongole city, 3.43 MLD in Markapur, and 0.34 MLD in Chimakurthi, and informed that the government has sanctioned Rs 13.92 crore for immediate needs during summer, including Rs 4.40 crore for Ongole municipality. To address the fluoride contamination and the drought condition, he emphasised the need to complete the Veligonda project to provide safe drinking water through household tap connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
