NE NEWS SERVICE
AMARAVATI, DECEMBER 1
The World Bank has given its in principle nod to fund $70 million for watershed projects in Andhra Pradesh, said Andhra Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Peppireddy Ramachandra Reddy here recently.
Speaking to reporters Ramachandra Reddy said that a 7-member World Bank team had discussion with him and had agreed in principle to consider the states demand for loan to the tune of $70 million for five years to undertake watershed projects in phase I in the backward districts – Rayalaseema and Prakasam districts, the minister added.
The Minister held detailed discussions on the watershed project in the state with the WB officials and reviewed the implementation of water management, improving the fertility of land, standard agricultural procedures and improvement of cultivation in rural areas.
It was decided to take up the watershed project in the state with 70% WB funds and 30% funds by the state government.
The state government would implement and oversee the project with a consortium of the State Rural Development Agency, agriculture department, AP Space Applicable Centre and the Agriculture University. The WB team said that the watershed programme would involve the protection of water resources in places where there is water scarcity and utilization of water resources through proper management techniques. Similarly, awareness would be created among farmers about modern farming techniques and soil fertility tests would be conducted through APSAT.
Panchayatraj Commissioner Girija Shankar, watershed project director Venkat Reddy, WB officials Grant Miley, SC Rajasekhar, JVR Murty, Kasturi Basu, Ranjan B Varma and other officials were present.
Kadapa Steel Plant to come up near Jammalamadugu
Foundation for the Kadapa Steel Plant would be laid on December 26. A decision, including 100 per cent fee reimbursement of fees for the students were among other decisions taken at the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Explaining the decisions taken at the cabinet meeting, the Minister for Transport, Information and Public Relations said that the cabinet has approved land allotment for Kadapa Steel Plant that would come up between Sunnapurallapally and Pedha Nandaluru villages in Jammalamadugu Mandal. The government would establish AP High-Grade Steel Corporation and acquire 3,295 acres of land for the steel plant. It was earlier agreed with NMDC for the supply of iron ore.
There will be a separate commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the AP State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act will be amended to this effect.
The cabinet also approved to allocate Rs 3,400-crore every year for 100 per cent fee reimbursement under Jagananna Vidya Deewana. Compared with the previous government the YSRCP government has increased budget Rs 1800 crore for this scheme.
The cabinet has approved to allocate Rs 2,300 crore every year Jagananna Vasathi Dewaana. Under this ITI students will receive Rs 10,000 every year, polytechnic students get Rs. 15,000, and Rs 20,000 for degree students as their mess charges. The amount would be paid in two instalments one in December and the other in July and will be credited to the mother’s account of the student.
Compared with the previous government the YSRCP government allocated an additional Rs 1,500 crore for this scheme. In all, the government will spend about Rs 5,700 crore on these two projects.
Currently, there are 11,44,490 beneficiaries and the number may go up. The fee reimbursement is applicable to all those who have an annual income of less than Rs.2.5 lakh. The terms and conditions for availing this scheme for the farmers has been relaxed. Farmers, those who have wetland below10 acres, or for those who have dry lands below 25 acres, or those who have below 25 acres including both lands are eligible for the fee reimbursement.
The scheme is applicable to sanitation workers’ families irrespective of their income, and those who are professionally dependent on taxi, auto, and tractor excluding car. The income taxpayers are not eligible for this scheme.
The Cabinet also approved the allotment of 92.05 acres of land to SCR for Nadikudi – Sri Kalahasti broad gauge line construction besides the draft bills to amend the AP Excise Act which enables the hike in liquor prices.
The Endowment Department Act would be amended to increasing Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board Members from 19 to 29, the minister said.
