Lakshmiah criticises opposition for creating obstacles in projects

Hyderabad, May 06 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmiah today criticised the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for creating obstacles in the irrigation projects taken up by the state government under'Jalayagnam'.

Addressing a press conference here, he alleged that the TDP during its nine-year rule had neglected the irrigation sector and had not taken up any projects.

It had failed to utilise the assured water available from nearly 40 rivers in the state, he said adding that though a large number of people depending on agriculture in villages, the TDP government totally neglected the agriculture sector resulting in suicides by farmers.

He said the State Government during the last three years had taken up several steps to increase the economic conditions of the farmers and created infrastructure for the village development.

He said the government had spent Rs 19,009 crore on irrigation projects during the last three years and brought 12 lakh acres under cultivation.

The farmers' suicides in the state had drastically come down due to government's efforts, he added.

UNI