Velugonda in 18 months: Nara Lokesh

Nellore: Telugu Desam national general secretary Nara Lokesh has assured measures to complete the Velugonda project within 18 months. He was addressing a public meeting after inaugurating a free medical camp organised by party men on the occasion of the birthday of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu at Government Junior College at Yerragondapalem in Prakasam district on Wednesday. Expressing concern over serious drought conditions prevailing in Yerragondapalem constituency, he said that the area is reminding Rayalaseema region.

Attributing the absence of any agriculture activity in the segment, he said that only solution is completing the Velugonda project at the shortest possible time. Crediting his father for the completion of Pattiseema Project within 13 months, the TD national general secretary said the farmers are worried over drought but they intend to make drought scared of farmers by linking rivers. Mr Lokesh promised implementation of the promises made in the TD election manifesto without fail.

According to Mr Lokesh, government will spend Rs 40,000 crore for pensions in next five years apart from Rs 30,000 crore for loan waiver to farmers and Rs 10,000 crore for SHGs. He predicted the extinction of Opposition by 2019 in the state. Ministers Ravela Kishore Babu, Sidda Raghava Rao, MLAs Damacharla Janardhan, Kadiri Babu Rao and MLC Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy were present on the ocassion.