Srikakulam: Meagre funds have been allotted in the first budget of the AP state for irrigation projects and for the only University in Srikakulam district. As a result the people have lost all hopes of completion of irrigation projects and development work of B.R. Ambedkar University (BRAU) this year too.
Opening of the sugar factory at Amudalavalasa does not figure in the budget though it was an election assurance of the TD by government whip K. Ravi Kumar.
The sugar factory was closed during the TD government in 2002.
Scanty funds have been allotted to the BRAU Srikakulam. Of the Rs 5.26 crore sanctioned last year only Rs 2.43 crore was released.
Vamsadhara reservoir under stage-II which needs a total Rs 1,029 crore was sanctioned Rs 500 crore from 2006 to 2013 by the erstwhile Congress government. But in the current budget only Rs 32.93 crore is released.
For extension of Gotta barrage on Vamsadhara under stage-I only Rs 3 crore has been allotted. Thotapalli project on Nagavali river which covers Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts requires Rs 240 crore was allotted only Rs 20 crore which does not even amount to 10 percent. The reservoir on Mahen-dratanaya river which needs Rs 127 crore was sanctioned only Rs 11 crore.
Barring tourism and mini ports at Kalingapatnam and Bhavanapa-du all other sectors have been sidelined in the budget said YSRC leader, D. Krishna Das and party MLA K. Venkataramana.
TD leaders are unhappy with the budget for neglecting the sugar factory but are afraid to comment.
