Centre, State Join Hands To Restore Prathipadu Tank
The Centre had initiated measures to develop village tanks under the watershed development programme: Reports
VIJAYAWADA: Union minister of state for communications and rural development Pemmasani Chandrasekhar on Saturday inaugurated the restoration and modernisation of a drinking water tank at Prathipadu village in Guntur district. The project was taken up at a cost of Rs 49.91 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) 2.0, with financial support from the Central and state governments.
Speaking on the occasion, Pemmasani said he had set a goal of developing villages on a par with towns after taking charge as Union minister. The Centre had initiated measures to develop village tanks under the watershed development programme to improve the quality of life in rural areas.
He said a tank at Vengalayapalem had been developed as a pilot project, providing villagers with a suitable place for evening walks. The initiative, which he described as the first of its kind in the country, had proved successful and paved the way for wider implementation.
As part of the programme, 100 tanks had been selected for development across Andhra Pradesh, including 10 in Guntur district, he said. The Prathipadu tank was restored by officials using funds provided with support from the Central and state governments. Despite the State’s financial difficulties, efforts were being made to take up as many village development works as possible, he added.
Telugu Desam leader Vangaveeti Radhakrishna said Pemmasani was demonstrating how development could be achieved under capable leadership. He said the Guntur parliamentary constituency was being developed as a model for the State and urged people to support the ruling alliance in the forthcoming local body elections.
Prathipadu MLA B. Ramanjaneyulu alleged that the previous YSRC government had pushed Andhra Pradesh’s development back by 25 years during its five-year tenure. He said the present government was focusing on public welfare and developing facilities according to people’s needs.
Ramanjaneyulu said Pemmasani understood how to coordinate with departments and officials to provide public amenities. He recalled that the Vengalayapalem tank had been developed as a pilot project with Central funds and inaugurated in the presence of Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The initiative was now being extended to several tanks in the district, he added.
Guntur district Jana Sena president Gade Venkateswara Rao and Prathipadu constituency coordinator Korapati Nageswara Rao attended the programme.
