AP govt committed to development of tribals: Naidu

Visakhapatnam, Aug 9: Without mentioning the bauxite reservoirs in Visakhapatnam agency, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said people should utilise all the minerals in the region for their development.

Addressing in a public meeting as part of the World Tribal Day celebrations today at Araku Valley in Vizag agency, Naidu said that TDP government is committed for the development of tribals by utilising the minerals in the region.

Stating that Vizag agency has a huge potential for tourism, Naidu added, "Tourism will raise the income of locals in the agency area." Fearing protests and rallies during Naidu's visit to Vizag agency over government order allowing bauxite mining, police had taken several leaders and activists of Left into custody as a preventive measure.

Meanwhile, Naidu also visited Pedalabudu, the village panchayat. "Agency area Araku Valley is very close to my heart. That is the reason why I adopted this panchayat close to the Valley," the CM said, after arriving in the village this afternoon.

He promised all the infrastructure facilities for the panchayat which has 22 hamlets and has a population of 11,280. All the houses would be provided with gas connections within next fortnight, he said. Rs 5 crore had been sanctioned to provide drinking water facilities in the panchayat, he said. Rs 9 crore have been allocated to lay cement roads in entire panchayat and the task would be completed in three months, Naidu added.

PTI