Veerapuram(Anantapur): Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday announced that a groundnut research centre along with a separate directorate would soon be established in Anantapur district.
“The war against drought would definitely give fruitful results. Farmers shall not worry about drought. It should run away from the district,” the Chief Minister observed.
The Chief Minister had inspected Veerapuram village in Gummagattta mandal on his second day’s stay in Anantapur district as part of monitoring crop rescue operations with rain gun following withering of groundnut crop in the area.
Mr Naidu, who had also inspected the ongoing and existing irrigation projects and canals through air, formally launched rain guns to sprinkle water to the existing groundnut fields at Veerapuram village in Gummagatta mandal.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister made it clear the TD government was committed to the welfare of the farmers.
“We initiated the system to save existing crops from withering due to rain deficit conditions,” he said and added the state was taking necessary steps to improve irrigation sources in drought-hit areas of Rayalaseema.
The Chief Minister said Gollapalli reservoir works would soon be completed and water released to the reservoir by September-end.
Referring to BT project development, the Chief Minister said the project was included in the NTR special package to irrigate surrounding areas in Rayadurgam. He lambasted the YSRC and Congress for repeatedly trying to disturb developmental activities including the construction of state capital.
“We have initiated measures to develop the backward areas through diversion of irrigation sources by interlinking rivers. Every acre of la-nd should have irrigation facility in the district. But the opposition parties are obstructing government plans,” he observed. He added that Krishna water would be diverted to Handri Neeva and Galeru Nagari projects.
Chief whip Kaluva Srinivasulu and MLC Mettu Govinda Reddy were present.
Meanwhile a woman farmer Susheelamma of Veerapuram village has lodged a complaint with the SP over damage of chili crop during the CM's visit.
The farmer who raised chili crop in five acres land was closer to temporary built helipad for the Chief Minister's arrival at Veerapuram village in Gummagatta mandal.
Those crowds went to attend the public meeting caused damage to the chili crop. The farmer Susheelamma lodged a complaint with the SP seeking justice.
