CM mulls Indiramma Deepam to end power crisis
Indiramma Deepam is the name of a new scheme Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is contemplating to help the State tide over power crisis.
Under the proposed scheme, solar panels would be supplied to the people on subsidy to generate power. “We are planning to take the scheme to every household in every part of the State,” Kiran Reddy said, adding that if any household generates surplus power over and above its needs, the government would purchase it.
Reddy, who was on a day-long tour in Chittor, announced a slew of concessions for his home district and went on an inauguration spree. The Chief Minister, addressing a public meeting at B Kothakota in Tamballapalle constituency, emphasised the need for energy conservation and said the more the people save, the more they benefit.
He reiterated that SCs and STs would be given free power if they consume less than 50 units a month.
He also announced allocation of Rs 7,390 crore for diverting water from Kandaleru to all constituencies in the district. “We expect the scheme to be completed in six months. Tenders have been finalised and water would be provided to every village in the district,” he said.
Kiran Kumar Reddy also said there was a possibility of water being supplied to Kharif crops as the works on the Handri-Neeva regulator channel would be completed in 20 days.
“Patch work is going on and we are hopeful it would be completed in the next 20 days,’’ he said.
Kiran Kumar Reddy tried to win over SCs/STs, who constitute a majority in the constituency, by referring to his SC/ST sub-plan and the allocations and benefits both would get under the same.
With respect to women, he said Rs 13,000 crore loans would be extended by the government and it would also bear the burden of interest for those who promptly repay the loan. Women would be given 50 per cent representation in the local body elections, he promised.
For B Kothakota, he announced various sops, including a degree college, a 30-bed hospital, sub-registrar and MRO office, `one crore for a new RTC bus-stand and others.
For meeting drinking and irrigation needs, he said Rs 54 crore would be granted to construct a supply channel from Kandur tank.
This channel would not only cater to drinking and irrigation needs of Tamballapalle but also three other constituencies of Madanapalle, Punganur and Piler.
Kiran Kumar Reddy said Rs 14 lakh had been allocated for a survey to look into the possibility of supplying iron ore from Sana Konda to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. An industry would set up if the iron ore is to be supplied, which would give employment opportunities to the locals, he said.
Kiran Reddy also said the Mallanna Konda (which has a Lord Shiva temple) would be developed as a tourist spot by spending Rs 30 crore.
Rajampet MP Sai Pratap, minister Galla Aruna Kumari and D Sridhar Babu and MLAs and MLCs from the district participated in the programme.