Date:14/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/14/stories/2007101454120400.htm

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Andhra Pradesh

MSP for paddy: CM to exert pressure on Centre

Staff Reporter

Inaugurates colony built for Tsunami victims by West Godavari district administration

CM participates in ‘gruhapravesam’ of ‘Indiramma’ houses
Lays stone for Singapore model township in Guntur

— Photo: M. Anil Kumar

Winsome manners: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy mixes with people at Tillapudi in West Godavari district on Saturday.

PERUBALEM (WEST GODAVARI DIST): Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Saturday expressed his empathy for farmers’ demand for increase of minimum support price (MSP) for paddy up to Rs. 1,000 per quintal.

Addressing a public meeting here, he promised to exert pressure on the Centre in support of the demand for hike in the MSP. He recalled that the Centre, in the past, had hiked the MSP for paddy from 625 to 700 per quintal following his efforts.

‘Gruhapravesam’

Earlier, Dr. Reddy inaugurated a colony built by the district administration for Tsunami victims here.

It was proposed to build the tsunami colony with 1,300 houses, of which 130 houses had been built till date and inaugurated by the Chief Minister.

Dr. Reddy also participated in a ‘gruhapravesam’ programme relating to 102 houses built for the poor under the Indiramma housing programme at Tillapudi in Palacole Assembly segment.

Congress MP from Narsapur Chegondi Harirama Jogaiah sought the Chief Minister’s help for development of coastal areas, particularly those in and around Narsapur.

He wanted the government to establish a port and a power plant at Narsapur to ensure development in the area and generate employment in the coastal villages.

Dr. Reddy’s whirlwind tour got a rural touch as his motorcade meandered through the narrow lanes and bylanes.

The security agencies sealed off all the roads leading to Tillapudi well in advance.

A huge convoy of vehicles carrying officials and ruling party workers was stranded at Tillapudi in the sunny afternoon for more than an hour for want of passage even as the Chief Minister was taking rest in a roadside school building.

Guntur staff Reporter writes: Dr. Reddy laid the foundation for Singapore model township being constructed by Arihant Indo-African Infra Developers and Builders on a 53-acre site purchased from VGTM Urban Development Authority close to its Amaravathi Township. He said with this township, the entire region would see development.

SEZ in Mangalagiri

Employment generation will get a major boost with the setting up of an Information Technology Special Economic Zone close to Mangalagiri and State government was ready to spend any amount to provide social security to people, the Chief Minister said.

“A big stadium is also coming up here along with the SEZ, which will promote small enterprise and improve employment opportunities,” he said addressing a select gathering at the venue.