GUNTUR: Stating that Handri-Neeva project is a lifeline to the Rayalaseema region and 90 per cent of the project was constructed during the regime of the then Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy at just Rs 5,200 crore, leader of Opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy alleged that the TDP government is neglecting the project where just 10 per cent works are remaining.
Participating in the maha dharna organised at Uravakonda on Monday demanding release of irrigation water from Handri-Neeva project, Jagan alleged that Naidu has been showing more interest in contractors and kickbacks, but neglecting completion of irrigation projects to provide water to the parched Rayalaseema region.
Thousands of farmers are migrating from the region seeking livelihood since farming activities have come down due to water crisis, he said. He drew parallels between Anantapur district and drought-hit Jaisalmer in Rajasthan over pathetic conditions.
"During nine years ruling of Chandrababu Naidu, he had allocated a meagre Rs 4 crore for the Handri-Neeva project. Now, the project needs Rs 2,000 crore for completion. But the government has released Rs 984 crore in the last three years," Jagan explained.
Slamming that Chandrababu Naidu was interested only in kickbacks, Jagan alleged that the package no.36, which had pending works worth Rs 35 crore, was cancelled and awarded to their partyman with enhanced estimation of Rs 363 crore. Similarly, in the Galeru-Nagari project, Rs 11 crore worth works were pending, and the re-estimation was hiked to Rs 110 crore to benefit his partyman, he flayed.
Though the then Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy dedicated the project to the nation, again Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the same only for publicity and to claim false credit, he lambasted. "If YS Rajasekhar Reddy was alive, all the projects would have been completed by now," he opined.
Opposition trying to intimidate police: CM
Leaving no chance, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Guntur too launched a scathing attack against his opponents. At the inaugural of a model police station in Guntur, he said that these days, some people were trying to intimidate the police without any respect for the law.
"Recently, we have seen what happened at Visakhapatnam airport? Sensitive issues are being politicised creating law and order problem for personal gains. People should observe and understand the repercussions of such acts. I agreed for the special package instead of Special Category Status in the best interests of Andhra Pradesh. I do not fear anyone and future interests of Andhra Pradesh are my only priority," he challenged the critics again to explain what the State has lost by agreeing to special financial package.