Govt flayed for covering ‘failures’

Srikakulam: Ruling TDP government is trying to shift its failure on displaced people for inordinate delay in completion of various irrigation projects in the district, lamented YSRCP MLAs at irrigation water advisory board (IWAB) meeting at Zilla Parishad on Sunday.

The meeting was held by the Collector and irrigation officials under the supervision of Labour Minister K Atchannaidu, ZP Chairperson Ch Dhanalaxmi and Government Whip K Ravi Kumar.

During discussion on progress of Vamsadhara reservoir project, its superintendent engineer (SE) Bhojaraju Appala Naidu tried to explain reasons for delay is non-acceptance of displaced people for rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) package. The Labour Minister also supported it and explained that previous Congress government had disturbed the entire system and failed to clear R&R.

In retaliation to it, YSRCP MLAs, K Venkata Ramana, V Kalavathi and K Jogulu opposed the Minister and SE comments on displaced people and made scathing attack on government that it was trying to shift its failure on innocent people. They charged that the government was not willing to clear R&R package on par with Polavaram and according to new land acquisition Act of 2013.

Srikakulam MP K Rammohan Naidu, TDP MLAs, B Ramanamurhty and G Laxmidevi demanded for quick completion of projects on Nagavali river and distribution of water from Thotapalli reservoir in drought hit mandals in the district. Reacting to it, Government Whip and Thotapalli project superintendent engineer (SE) Dola Tirumala Rao assured to complete works on a war-footing to clear land acquisition for minor and sub-minor canals.