AP Govt to focus on linking rivers : YSR

Hyderabad, Apr 18 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said his government will give priority to link Krishna and Godavari Rivers for providing irrigation and drinking water to the people.

Replying to a question from Ex-MLA Shivaram Reddy during the 'face-to-face' programme organised by the Doordarshan Kendra here, Dr Reddy said the government was committed to distribute water equally among Rayalaseema, Telangana and Rayalaseema regions.

About 80 tmcft of Godavari water from Polavaram project will be provided to Anantapur district while Krishna Delta will receive 150 tmcft by linking the rivers.

The government would announce a comprehensive water policy at the earliest, the Chief Minister added.

The government would allocate Rs 15,000 crore for construction of irrigation projects next year as against the current year's Rs 10,050 crore.

About Rs 35,000 crore will be allocated in the next three years for constructing 42 projects as part of the government's plan to turn the state into 'Haritandra Pradesh'.

He said Andhra Pradesh recorded 65 per cent growth rate in IT sector as against the national average of 34 per cent this year.

The government will also construct houses for poor families under INDIRAMMA scheme. At present, 54 lakh families out of 180 lakh did not have proper housing facility in the state, Dr Reddy added.

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