Date:15/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/15/stories/2005071519020300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

CPI seeks special package for city's development

Staff Reporter

Party leader submits memorandum to YSR

Plea for funds equal to amounts spent on Pushkarams and Government schemes
Software technology park unit sought near Patamata ring road

Underground drainage, supply of drinking water and flyovers need of the hour

VIJAYAWADA: The former MLA and executive committee member of the Communist Party of India (CPI) State unit, K. Subba Raju, has appealed to the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, to implement the "Chief Minister's Special Package" for the overall development of the city.

Mr. Raju met the Chief Minister at the latter's chambers on Wednesday and submitted to him a memorandum in this regard.

He wanted the Government to release funds to the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, equalling the amounts spent by the Corporation during Krishna Pushkarams and on implementation of various schemes announced by the Government.

A unit of the Software Technology Park of India (STPI) should be set up in the city at the site allocated by the previous regime near Patamata ring road. The State Government should release funds in addition to the amount allocated by the exhibition society for the project, he said in the memorandum.

Superspeciality hospital

Referring to the proposed superspecialty hospital on the premises of the NTR University of Health Sciences, Mr. Raju said that the Government should improve facilities at the Government General Hospital besides constructing the new hospital. Extension of underground drainage scheme to the entire city and its early completion, supply of drinking water to all residential areas and construction of flyovers at Benz Circle, Milk Project and Gunadala areas were the need of the hour, he said.

Mr. Raju said that house site pattas, ration cards and old age pensions should be distributed to all eligible persons and mini Autonagars should be developed on the outskirts of the city for setting up new industries.

He wanted the State Government to develop Bhavani Island into a tourist spot of international repute and take up river beach project in the city.

Referring to the `Samarabheri' agitation programme launched by the party demanding solution to long-pending problems in the city, Mr. Raju sought the attention of the Chief Minister to the issues and release of funds for the completion of pending works.