HYDERABAD: Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday directed officials to expedite land acquisition for irrigation projects. The minister said that the government has so far released Rs 2,782 crore for the purpose and that about Rs 566 crore has already reached beneficiaries.
During a virtual review meeting with district collectors, chief engineers and senior officials, he also said that around Rs 989 crore was at various stages of disbursement, while another Rs 199 crore is available with districts where the process of making payments to land oustees is yet to commence. Uttam recalled that the government had sanctioned Rs 5,000 crore for land acquisition.
In Jagtial district, the minister directed officials to distribute funds already cleared for land acquisition within the next days. In Siddipet district, he officials the directed to proceed with consent awards concerning about 180 acres required for the Mallannasagar feeder canal and other works without waiting for the entire financial process to conclude.
Land acquisition for the Munneru-Paleru Link Canal in Mahbubabad also figured prominently in the meeting.