Date:26/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/26/stories/2005042609600300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

`Government to boost irrigation'

Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR: The State Government is committed to utilising every drop of water available for irrigation with the help of detailed plans, the Minister for Finance, K. Rosaiah, said here on Monday.

Speaking after launching the Rythu Chaitanya Yatra, Mr Rosaiah said that the neglect of the irrigation sector by the TDP Government had an adverse impact on the agriculture sector in the State. Against Rs. 8,900 crores spent in nine years by the TDP on irrigation, the Congress had spent Rs. 3,500 crores in about 10 months in 2004-05 and had plans to spend Rs. 6,500 crores this year.

The Chaitanya Yatras were intended to improve awareness among the farmers and inspire them by meeting them in their villages.

Mr. Rosaiah also participated in the Chaitanya Yatra at Garladinne and unveiled a Rajiv Gandhi statue at Gooty.