The Hindu Business Line : Irrigation projects: AP CM for faster State-level forest clearances

THE Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has expressed displeasure over the pace of the State-level forest clearances for the irrigation projects being planned in the State.

Stating that any element of negligence on the part of officials of any department concerned would not be tolerated, the Chief Minister said all the issues of dereliction would be sternly dealt with.

The State Government has taken up an irrigation mission `Jala Yagnam' consisting of 26 prioritised projects and four major projects at a cost of Rs 46,000 crore, which are planned to irrigate 86.75-lakh acres ayacut including stabilisation of 20-lakh acres, besides generating 1,700 MW of power.

According to an official release, the Chief Minister said all the controversies and disputes pertaining to the forest department with irrigation issues should be settled in a month's time and local disputes must be settled locally without waiting for State intervention.

He advised a committee comprising forest, revenue and irrigation officials to closely monitor and discuss the progress of forest clearances every week and send the report to the State capital for further pursuance.

The Chief Minister regretted that routine issues which otherwise should be regularly processed were being delayed inordinately.

Interacting with the district collectors and officials of forest and irrigation departments through a videoconference organised at the State Secretariat on Wednesday, the Chief Minister placed the Principal Secretary Environment and Forests fully in charge of the State Level Irrigation Projects Clearance Committee.

Similarly, the Chief Minister asked the Conservator of Forests to convene regular meetings and review the compensatory land issues in the district level.

The district collectors were advised to personally inspect the progress and settle the disputes.

Dr Reddy directed the officials to take every possible measure to protect wild life and guard against occurrence of any mistakes.

If necessary, alignment of the proposed acquisition should be altered in case sanctuary land was coming under submersion, he said.

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