Date:02/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110258660300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Vet super-speciality hospital likely in city

Staff Reporter

MACHILIPATNAM: Pointing out that bridge loans to the tune of Rs. 30 crores had been provided to the beneficiaries of housing scheme under Indiramma programme in Krishna district, Municipal Administration Minister Koneru Ranga Rao on Saturday said that 3.55 lakh houses were sanctioned under the third phase of the housing scheme in the district.

The Minister was speaking as chief guest at the Andhra Pradesh Formation Day celebrations held at Police Parade Grounds here.

He said as many as 2.77 lakh farmers from the district had benefited from the waiver of farm loans, as the government had repaid Rs. 451.75 crores on their behalf to various banks. Free power was being provided to 38,297 connections and 3,602 buffaloes were distributed to the poor under the ‘Pasukranthi’ scheme.

“Plans are afoot to construct a veterinary super-speciality hospital in Vijayawada with an estimated outlay of Rs. 2 crores. Qualitative treatment will be provided to the cattle from coastal districts at the hospital,” he said.

On women empowerment, Mr. Rao said that a sum of Rs. 1.65 crores had been distributed to the members of women self-help groups under ‘paavala vaddi’ scheme. Bank linkage to the tune of Rs. 163.16 crore was provided to the members of 13,576 groups. “Under land distribution programme, we have distributed 19,631 acres of land to 20,193 beneficiaries. Under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, we have distributed two lakh job cards and provided 16.56 lakh working days in the district,” he explained.

Mr. Rao said that the process of inviting tenders for the proposed Krishna delta modernisation project was going on. The government would spend Rs. 1,577.89 crores in the first phase. Drinking water problems in Kruttivennu, Manginapudi, Pedana, Mudinepalli and Mylavaram areas would be solved permanently, as safe drinking water projects were launched at an estimated outlay of Rs. 40 crores, he said.

District in-charge Collector B. Ramayya, SP D. Ramakrishnaiah and others were present.