Kurnool: Prakasam district in-charge minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy has emphasized the urgency of accelerating irrigation projects in the district and asked officials to focus special attention on such projects.
Addressing the district development committee meeting on Monday, he noted Prakasam’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture and called for expediting major irrigation projects like Veligonda, Gundlakamma and Ramatheertham.
The Veligonda project would help irrigate 4.50 lakh acres of land, benefiting Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa districts, while supplying drinking water to approximately 22 lakh people. Collaboration between people’s representatives and officials is essential to drive comprehensive development in the economically disadvantaged district, he said.
He expressed concern over the decline in population of Ongole cows and bulls, and said it is a collective responsibility to preserve this iconic breed. He asked officials to devise a comprehensive plan for development of the Chadalawada Cattle Farm in the district aimed at enhancing the Ongole breed.
The state government has sanctioned the establishment of 50 Gokulam (cattle breeding centers) in each mandal, the minister said and advised officials to expedite their construction.
Addressing issues of the fishing community, minister Reddy said AP’s interactions with the Tamil Nadu government would help protect local fishermen's interests. The high-speed machine boats from Tamil Nadu should not encroach on Prakasam district waters, he said.
The minister asked officials to prepare a detailed report in this matter.
He noted that there are 890 temples and 111 charitable institutions in the district. “Efforts are being made to appoint committees to manage these institutions effectively.”
Social welfare minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy said steps are being implemented to complete all tasks under the village festival programme in the district in the next two months.
District collector Thameem Ansaria said significant progress is being made in the Veligonda project, which is a critical development initiative for the area.
The collector also mentioned the ongoing efforts to address problems arising from the recent re-survey, through the holding of village meetings to gather feedback from the people.
Ongole MP, Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, legislators and members of the AP maritime board and the state tourism development corporation attended the meeting.
