All-party meet discusses steps to check graft in Neeru-Meeru

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, APRIL 30. An all-party meeting convened by the Chief Minister, Mr.N. Chandrababu Naidu, here on Monday to discuss ``Neeru-Meeru'' and paddy procurement decided to curb corruption in Neeru-Meeru works even if it meant formation of local committees. Officials should not be allowed to spend the money directly, it was suggested. As a whopping Rs. 639 crores was being spent on the Neeru-Meeru programme care must be taken to avoid any room for corruption in any form, it was agreed.

The Chief Minister had assured the delegations of the CPI(M), the BJP and the Congress that any irregularities either in the allocation of works under Neeru-Meeru or in their implementation could be brought to his notice. He was open to the suggestion of constituting committees.

The Chief Minister reiterated the Government's commitment to rural development by increasing the groundwater level and sought the help of all parties in developmental works.

The TDP leaders -- Mr. Lal Jan Basha and Mr.K. Venkat Rao -- talking to the press after the meeting, said that the Chief Minister's visit to East and West Godavari districts had improved the procurement there. The Government was trying to seek permission from the Centre for exporting 30,000 tonnes rice to foreign countries, they said.

The Congress delegation consisting Mr. Samarasimha Reddy, Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Mr. Vithal Reddy and Mr. Mrutyunjayam, sought formation of village and mandal-level committees for selection of works and allocation. Continuous monitoring was required to eliminate corruption, they said. They added the Government had failed miserably in ensuring the MSP to farmers.

The BJP leaders, Mr.N. Indrasena Reddy and Dr.K. Laxman, said they laid emphasis on water conservation and all the money must be spent only on such programmes under Neeru-Meeru. Repairs to channels and minor irrigation tanks should be the priority, they said. They sought complaint cells at the district level to keep track of progress of works.

On procurement, they wanted district-wise committees to monitor the MSP. Even discoloured paddy must be procured, they said.

Mr.K. Satyanarayana and Mr.S. Malla Reddy of the CPI(M) said when the Government was spending Rs. 639 crores on Neeru-Meeru in just six to seven weeks it must ensure that it was not misused in any way. Proper auditing must be there and vigilance committees should be constituted, they suggested.

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Section  : Southern States
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