Date:02/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/02/stories/2005010204420600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Irrigation projects: State to rope in expert agencies

By W. Chandrakanth

HYDERABAD, JAN. 1. The State Government is planning to hire the services of expert agencies such as the Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI) to prepare Environment Impact Assessment reports for securing fast track clearances for irrigation projects.

The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has directed irrigation officials to coordinate their efforts with related agencies and departments.

Concern over delay

Expressing concern over the delay, he urged officials to procure the environment assessment reports at the earliest to pave the way for speedier completion of the projects.

The decision to seek third party services to prepare the reports is the result of litigation in case of Pulichintala and the concerns expressed in some quarters over the status of the projects.

Speaking to The Hindu here today, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy said the Government would henceforth address the problem of red tapism comprehensively by seeking the services of expert agencies.

Meticulous preparation

Several concerns were being raised by the Central agencies in issuing clearances and that needed a meticulous preparation.

Expert agencies

The Chief Secretary, Mohan Kanda, and the Principal Secretary, Major Irrigation, C. V. S. K. Sarma, have been asked to take up the issue with the heads of the expert agencies.

He said the Government would brook no delay in going ahead with its plans as some vested interests were trying to thwart his efforts in creating a `harithaandhra.'

Dr. Reddy said the Government's commitment was unwavering and it would complete the pending projects in the next five years as announced.

There was no simpler solution to the problem of drought than linking the Godavari with the Krishna.

CM to visit Delhi

The Secretary of the Irrigation Department, Suresh Chanda, would be visiting New Delhi on January 3 and 4 to interact with PMO officials for speedier clearances. Dr. Reddy said he himself would be taking up the issue during his next week's visit to New Delhi.

Anomalies

Referring to anomalies in the relief and rehabilitation packages for the oustees, he said Centre was being persuaded to amend the rules in favour of the affected persons..

The practice of giving compensation to only those listed as oustees at the time of preparing the report was wrong, he said as the population could always be on a higher side by the time the compensation would be awarded.