Minister remembers services of Boddepalli

 Visakhapatnam: Revenue minister Dharmana Prasada Rao paid rich tributes to Boddepalli Rajagopala Rao, the first parliamentarian from Srikakulam district, during the concluding function of his birth centenary celebrations held at NTR Municipal Grounds in Srikakulam on Sunday.

 Speaking on the occasion, Prasada Rao said Rajagopal Rao was elected to Parliament in the first general elections held in independent India and went on to win six times, creating a record.

 “During three decades as a parliamentarian, Raja Gopala Rao contributed a lot to the development of north Andhra,” the minister said.

Present Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is fulfilling the aspirations of Rajagopal Rao and former Chief Minister Y.S.Rajashekhar Reddy. He recently laid the foundation stone for the Rs 4,000-crore Mulapeta Port and Budagatlapalem fishing harbour, which will prevent migration of fishermen and provide employment to thousands of unemployed in north Andhra, the minister said.

“During the last four years, the state has earned the top position in many sectors and witnessed rapid development,’’ Prasada Rao told the gathering, promising that the construction of Vamsadhara project, which began in 1955, and the lift irrigation project at Gotta Barrage will be completed during this term by Jagan Mohan Reddy.