'Centre will consider funding Krishna, Godavari canals'

New Delhi, Dec 8: Home Minister Shivraj Patil today assured theLok Sabha that the Centre would consider funding the proposedreconstruction of Krishna and Godavari canals, estimated to cost Rs10,000 crore, after receiving a proper project report from the AndhraPradesh government.

Responding to a calling attention raised by Mr Badiga Ramakrishnaand Mr Rayapati Sambasiva Rao, Mr Patil said Chief Minister Y SRajasekhara Reddy had informed him that the project report was alreadyunder preparation.

Acknowledging that the canals, constructed during the Britishrule, were in a bad shape and required extensive repair work, the HomeMinister said the project would be studied by the Planning Commissionbefore being sent for Cabinet approval.

The Home Minister said the Centre had given Rs 625.80 crore toAndhra Pradesh for relief work in cyclone and rain hit areas and thestate government had made use of much of the funds.

''I would like to assure the August House that Government of Indiawill continue to render all necessary assistance to Andhra Pradesh toprovide succour to the affected people. Appropriate Central assistancewill also be provided as per established procedure for long-termreconstruction of infrastructure damaged during these naturalcalamities,'' he said.

UNI