Link ponds with canals to avoid water scarcity: Jagan

Vijayawada: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday reviewed progress of works in Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department and directed the officials to interlink ponds through canals.

He said water shortage can be prevented if every pond can be linked to canals and feeder channels in the next five years.

During a review meeting held at camp office near here, the Chief Minister instructed the officials to expedite the construction of buildings for Rythu Bharosa Kendras, digital libraries, village secretariats and village clinics and asked them to put a photo of Navaratnalu in every building.

He said the State has faced problems because of payment of arrears of the previous government and added that the construction of buildings should not be stopped and at the same time contractors should not face losses.

Reddy directed the officials to prepare a plan to ensure there is no delay in uploading bills and making payments with regard to MGNREGS works and added to appoint a special officer in New Delhi for it if necessary.

The Chief Minister said the State Government will provide bores, motors and pipes to eligible farmers under YSR Jala Kala Scheme. He said there should be one rig in every constituency. The officials informed the Chief Minister that they have laid 13,245 bores so far at a cost of Rs.4.5 lakh for each bore. The Chief Minister instructed the officials to prepare SOPs to bring a transperant system where money for drilling bore is credited directly to the farmer's account (through DBT system) and the payment is made through him. The State Government is providing bore pumps at free of cost to all the eligible farmers with five acres and only drilling is free for the farmers with 5-10 acres of land.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to give administrative sanctions and invite tenders for construction of roads in rural areas said the works should be started by May 15-20 and added that the repair and construction of roads under Panchayat Raj Department should be completed on priority measures.

Reddy said the photos of Nadu Nedu programme in Health, Education and Roads should be displayed in village/ ward secretariats. He said water supply works in Jagananna colonies should be taken up on priority under Jala Jeevan Mission.

Deputy Chief Minister (Panchayat Raj and Rural Development) Minister Budi Mutyala Naidu, Panchayat Raj Principal Secretary Gopala Krishna Dwivedi, Panchayat Raj Commissioner Kona Sashidhar, Special Commissioner Santhi Priya Pandey, Swachha Andhra Corporation MD P Sampath Kumar and other officials were present.