Date:05/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/05/stories/2008050557560300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Take development in irrigation to people: YSR

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy has asked the Congress leaders in Mahabubnagar district to go all out to highlight the significant developments made by the backward district in terms of irrigation projects during the byelection to the Jadcherla assembly constituency on May 29.

Dr. Reddy on Sunday sprang a surprise on the Mahabubnagar district leaders by conducting a teleconference at 4.30 a.m. During the one-hour long conversation, Dr. Reddy made it clear that taking the development on the irrigation front to the people was the campaign theme of the party.

Speaking to the Rural Development Minister G. Chinna Reddy, Jadcherla party nominee Mallu Ravi, DCC president S. Prakash, Mahabubnagar MP D. Vithal Rao, ZP chairman Damodar Reddy and others, the Chief Minister said the leaders have to convince the voters that Government was according top priority to the district while taking up irrigation projects.

He wanted the leaders to explain to the people how the Congress Government had grounded four major irrigation projects at a time by earmarking Rs. 6,935 crore. He said the farmers and rural people have to be informed that 7.76 lakh acres of land would be brought under irrigation.

Meeting held

Later in the evening, the Chief Minister and the APCC president D. Srinivas held a meeting with the party leaders from Khairatabad constituency.

The meeting was attended by the party candidate, P. Vishnuvardhan Reddy, Ministers – Vanama Venkataswara Rao and M. Mukesh, Sanatnagar MLA Marri Sashidhar Reddy and Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee president Danam Nagender.