Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

BJP leader fears famine raids

By Our Staff Reporter

CUDDAPAH Oct. 7. Famine conditions persisted with withered crops and parched lands in the backward Rayalaseema region and the farmers were in dire straits, said the BJP Floor Leader in Assembly, N. Indrasena Reddy, on Monday.

Addressing a public meeting at Pulivendula as part of `sasyasyamala yatra', he feared that people might resort to attacks to satiate their hunger. People would prosper when adequate irrigation facilities were provided, he said. He called for concerted effort for the completion of irrigation projects, as they have the potential to irrigate 10 lakh acres in the State.

The Rs. 3,500-crore Food-for-work programme was hijacked by a few leaders and contractors and the benefits did not reach the poor labourers, Mr. Indrasena Reddy alleged. The Chitravathi project was not progressing despite spending Rs. 45 crores due to disputes, he lamented.

The BJP Rayalaseema zonal incharge, N. Thulasi Reddy, favoured linkage between rivers to save farmers from perennial droughts. The party MP, L. Jitender Reddy, BJP secretaries, G.R. Karunakar and Nagurao Namoji and party leaders, P. Srinatha Reddy, N. Lakshmaiah and P. Chandrasekhar Reddy, took part.

Earlier addressing a public meeting at Yerraguntla, Mr. Indrasena Reddy said rural employment avenues would be abundant where the lands were fertile. The ryots were in untold misery on account of the severe drought, he said. The State was unable to utilise the Godavari, Pennar, Vamsadhara and Swarnamukhi waters, which could irrigate two crore acres. Nearly 1,000 tmcft of surplus water was draining into the sea, he said.

The `sasyasyamala yatra' was aimed at exerting pressure on the State Government to complete irrigation projects, the BJP floor leader said at a public meeting at Vempalle today. He called upon the people to complain to the authorities concerned wherever leaders and contractors cornered FFW and deprived poor persons of work. He wanted nine-hour power supply for farmers.

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