Khammam: Call for collective efforts for the development of towns

Khammam: Elected representatives, members of local bodies and civic body officials have to make collective efforts towards the development of towns and cities in the district, suggested Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar.

Priority has to be given to provide basic amenities to the residents in the ensuing Pattana Pragathi programme. Focus has to be given to water supply through Mission Bhagiratha scheme, taking up road repairs and sanitation, the Minister said during a preparatory meeting on Pattana Pragathi here on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by elected members of the Khammam Municipal Corporation (KMC), Sathupalli, Wyra and Madhira municipalities, municipal commissioners and district officials.

Ajay Kumar said that as per the new Municipal Act, 10 per cent of the budget of a municipality has to be allotted to green cover plan. The municipalities should make plans to create their own income generating sources, he stated.

The Minister described Pattana Pragathi programme as the first step towards betterment of amenities in towns and cities. Developmental plans have to be chalked out as per the needs of the citizens in accordance with the new Municipal Act.

Following the success of Palle Pragathi programme, the State government has decided to implement Pattana Pragathi aiming to develop and beautify the towns and cities. Everyone concerned must contribute towards the success of Pattana Pragathi in Khammam district, the Minister exhorted.

Steps have to be taken to identify locations for setting up vegetable market, construction of public toilets and dumping yards. All the works identified have to be grounded and completed within the next eight months, Ajay Kumar pointed out.

Special focus has to be laid on developing tank bunds and setting up open gyms, he said, adding that immediate steps have to be taken to form municipal ward committees for the development of the wards.

District Collector RV Karnan explained about the nature of works that have to be taken up in towns and cities where the residents' expectations would be high in terms of civic services.

ZP Chairman Lingala Kamal Raju, MLAs Ramulu Naik and Sandra Venkata Veeraiah, MLC B Lakshminarayana, KMC Mayor Dr Papalal, Wyra, Sathupalli and Madhira civic body chiefs, Khammam Municipal Corporation Commissioner Anurag Jayanthi and municipal staff attended the meeting.