The Praja Rajyam chief, Mr K. Chiranjeevi, vowed to continue efforts to mount pressure upon both the Centre and state governments to expedite the construction of the multi-purpose Indira Sagar (Pola-varam) project and also to get national project status for it by taking up a padayatra and hunger strike.
The Praja Rajyam’s political affairs committee (PAC) meet was held here on Thursday and it came up with several resolutions including an all party delegation to New Delhi to submit a representation to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and the UPA chairperson, Mr Sonia Gandhi, and working out a strategy to fight for the execution of the Pranahitha-Chevella project and also get national project status for it.
The PAC also proposed to strengthen party cadre and conduct a party plenary towards the end of August.
Later, addressing party cadre, Mr Chiranjeevi felt the need to tap energy of youth in the party and also called for synchronisation of energy of both party cadre and his supporters to strengthen the party.
Taking part in a separate programme for interaction with his supporters and fans, Mr Chiranjeevi said that he had plunged into politics to serve people and not to grab power. He admitted lapses in failing to work out an understanding between party cadre and his fans during the last elections, resulting in his political debacle, and called upon his fans to support to him in his efforts to bring about a social change in the state.
He also cautioned that if the Polavaram project was not completed, it could jeopardise food security in the state.
Meanwhile, the PR chief drew flak from the general public for failing to stick to schedule during his bus yatra with people waiting for him for several hours in the hot sun. Journalists protested when Mr Chiranjeevi failed to turn up for a press conference scheduled for 3.00 pm after making them wait for more than an hour.
Showing posts with label Polavaram. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Polavaram. Show all posts
Friday, May 14, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Polavaram design gets CM go-ahead
The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, on Tuesday directed the irrigation department not to make any changes in the designs of the Polavaram multi-purpose project and take steps to complete it by 2014.
The Chief Minister’s decision gains significance in view of the Praja Rajyam’s demand for speedy completion of Polavaram. It has been accusing the government of delaying the launch of project works in order to make changes in the dam design.
Soon after becoming Chief Minister, Mr Rosaiah ordered the officials to study the possibilities of changing designs to bring down the project cost. He was reacting to complaints of senior Congress leaders that the project cost was inflated.
However, the PR chief, Mr K Chiranjeevi, who is currently on a bus yatra for the cause of Polavaram in coastal districts, alleged that the government had deliberately been attempting changes to the design approved by the Central Water Commission.
Speaking to media persons after the review, the major irrigation minister, Mr Ponnala Lakshmaiah, said the Chief Minister wanted the new tenders to be opened by May 30 and agreements entered into with the agencies that would bag the contract in the first week of June.
The Chief Minister asked the newly-appointed adviser, Mr P.K. Agarwal, to camp in New Delhi and follow up with the Centre to get national project status for Polavaram project. Mr Rosaiah said he would once again discuss the issue with the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the union water sources minister, Mr Bansal.
Sources said the officials brought to the Chief Minister’s notice the Power Finance Corporation’s doubts over setting up 960 MW hydel power project as part of Polavaram.
The PFC sought to know whether drop in inflows into Polavaram would cut down power generation capacity to 450 MW after 25 years.
The major irrigation minister, however, dismissed the apprehensions and suggested that tenders could be called for 960 MW itself. He is said to have commented that the state cannot afford to produce less power in the next 25 years despite having capacity because of anticipated fall thereafter.
The Chief Minister’s decision gains significance in view of the Praja Rajyam’s demand for speedy completion of Polavaram. It has been accusing the government of delaying the launch of project works in order to make changes in the dam design.
Soon after becoming Chief Minister, Mr Rosaiah ordered the officials to study the possibilities of changing designs to bring down the project cost. He was reacting to complaints of senior Congress leaders that the project cost was inflated.
However, the PR chief, Mr K Chiranjeevi, who is currently on a bus yatra for the cause of Polavaram in coastal districts, alleged that the government had deliberately been attempting changes to the design approved by the Central Water Commission.
Speaking to media persons after the review, the major irrigation minister, Mr Ponnala Lakshmaiah, said the Chief Minister wanted the new tenders to be opened by May 30 and agreements entered into with the agencies that would bag the contract in the first week of June.
The Chief Minister asked the newly-appointed adviser, Mr P.K. Agarwal, to camp in New Delhi and follow up with the Centre to get national project status for Polavaram project. Mr Rosaiah said he would once again discuss the issue with the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the union water sources minister, Mr Bansal.
Sources said the officials brought to the Chief Minister’s notice the Power Finance Corporation’s doubts over setting up 960 MW hydel power project as part of Polavaram.
The PFC sought to know whether drop in inflows into Polavaram would cut down power generation capacity to 450 MW after 25 years.
The major irrigation minister, however, dismissed the apprehensions and suggested that tenders could be called for 960 MW itself. He is said to have commented that the state cannot afford to produce less power in the next 25 years despite having capacity because of anticipated fall thereafter.
