Date:20/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/20/stories/2004122008250400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

No going back on projects: Congress

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, DEC. 19. The Congress Legislature Party today expressed confidence that the Government would overcome the hurdles being created by the Telugu Desam and complete all pending irrigation projects.

Speaking to reporters here after releasing a booklet containing the transcript of the Chief Minister, Y S. Rajasekhara Reddy's reply to the debate on irrigation projects in the Assembly, the Government Chief Whip, N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, and other members said the projects would be completed at any cost to create additional ayacut of 65 lakh acres.

The Congress had decided to step up campaign against the TDP as it was deliberately obstructing the irrigation projects. "They are bent upon politicising the irrigation projects and tender issue. The TDP only wants mileage through misleading campaign," he said.

TDP charge denied

The Chief Whip denied the TDP's charge that he had raked up a controversy over the Kuppam development project to target the TDP president, N. Chandrababu Naidu. He said the issue had been raised in the previous session also but a detailed discussion did not take place. He alleged that irregularities had taken place in the Kuppam project. The CLP members said the CDs of the Chief Minister's speech had already been released and it was now proposed to distribute 5,000 booklets across the State to enlighten people about the Government's commitment on irrigation projects. The Agriculture Minister, N. Raghuveera Reddy, Gade Venkat Reddy, G. Muddukrishnama Naidu, M. Buddha Prasad, S. C. V. Naidu and Srinivas Reddy were present.