Electricity Bill Payment Stopped for One Month in AP's Flood-hit Areas
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has announced that payment of electricity bills and collection of dues in the flood-hit areas will be deferred by one month. This is by way of a relief to the affected families. He said on Friday that the state would send a preliminary report on the floods to the central government, followed by a comprehensive report later.
During the day, Naidu conducted a teleconference with ministers and officials from here on relief measures. The officials briefed him on the sanitary works in the affected areas. He asked them to accelerate the process of cleaning the roads, colonies and affected houses, with the help of fire engines.
A preliminary report will be sent to the Centre Saturday evening for immediate release of flood-relief to AP.
He said the government was contemplating a permanent solution to prevent future floods here. “The Prakasam barrage is being strengthened to discharge 15 lakh cusecs of water,” he said.
Naidu put the blame on the previous government for the flood havoc. “I had released a fund of `57 crore for development of the Budameru canal, but the YSRC government did not take matters forward.”
He said, “No one expected the water to come on to the road at Bhavanipuram here. Millions of people are in mental distress. We are calling the army to fill the breaches in Budameru.”
Naidu said officials would carry out the sanitation work in the affected areas. “Bleaching will be done. Some 206 tankers undertook 513 trips to distribute drinking water. Some 5,000 houses have been cleaned. If necessary, we will requisition another 300-400 cleaning machines. The government takes the responsibility of cleaning the houses.”
Stating that the water taps have also been repaired, the CM proposed, “No one should use tap water for household use or drinking for the next two days. This is not treated water. The water should be used only for cleaning the houses and toilets.”
Steps would be taken to control mosquitoes. More medical camps will be organised and medical kits provided to every household. Electricity has been restored on a war footing in most areas except the areas where floodwater is stored, the CM said.
“Steps are being taken to restore 21 cell phone towers. Two choppers were engaged in the flood-affected areas. Free bus transport facility has been provided in these areas,” he said.
