By Our Special Correspondent
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced on Wednesday that the Pula Subbaiya Veligonda project will be completed by September 2023 before the next elections and dedicated to the nation.
Jagan was speaking after unveiling the statues of his father, former chief minister late Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy and former Darshi MLA Buchepalli Subbareddy in Cheemakurti of Prakasam district.
Jagan said that former Chief Minister YSR started the irrigation project with two tunnels 18.8 km and 18.78 km long, and during his tenure the first tunnel was 11.58 km and the second 8.74 km was completed.
“Between 2014 and 2019, the Chandrababu Naidu government completed only 4.33 km and 2.35 km of work for the two tunnels. The present government has completed the construction of the first tunnel. 3.96 km of work is left in the second tunnel, which will be completed by September 2023, Jagan explained.
True to his election promise, Jagan has reintroduced the slab system to collect seigniorage fee to benefit over 7,000 granite cutting and polishing units in and around Chimakurti, famous for its world-renowned Galaxy granite.
"During my padayatra, the representatives of various granite units in Chimakurti explained their problems due to the withdrawal of the slab system. Each of these units employs at least ten people. I assured that good days will come for the granite units,'' he recalled.
Jagan said that in 2016, the previous TDP government stopped the slab policy and pushed the small scale granite industries into crisis single blade and multi blade Rs. 54,000.
In North Andhra and Rayalaseema areas, the fee has been fixed at Rs.22 thousand for single blade and Rs.44 thousand for multi-blade granite. "The government's decision will benefit thousands of workers who depend on these small-scale granite units," he asserted.
Jagan said that despite the loss of Rs 135 crore per year to the government, the slab system has been re-introduced keeping in mind the welfare of the people and the granite industry. The Chief Minister announced a cut of Rs.2 per unit on electricity charges for small scale granite industries in high tension (HT) and low tension (LT) sections.
Jagan said that the units are currently paying Rs.6.30 per unit for HT and Rs.6.70 per unit for LT connections since the last TDP regime, and the cut in tariffs will put an additional burden of Rs.210 crore on the government per year.
Hailing his father as a leader who gives priority to the welfare of the people, Jagan reiterated that if his father takes one step, he will take four steps for the welfare of the poor and marginalized communities. He said that good people like YS Rajasekhara Reddy and Buchepalli Subbar Reddy will never die and will remain forever in the hearts of people.
Jagan promised to sanction Rs.20 crore for the construction of new ZP building in Chimakurti. Tulluru mandal promised to convert Mogigundla pond into a mini reservoir and name it after Boochepalli Subbareddy.
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