The Hindu Business Line : AP Govt plans to get Rs 10,000-cr budgetary support in '06-07

The Chief Minister has asked irrigation officials not to heed to the political pressures on projects and asked them to ensure timely completion without compromising on quality.

Hyderabad , Feb. 5

THE Andhra Pradesh Government proposes to obtain budgetary support of up to Rs 10,000 crore during 2006-07 for the irrigation projects taken up at an outlay of Rs 46,000 crore, the State Finance Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, said.

Against the budgetary provision of Rs 6,300 crore during 2005-06, the State Government is likely to provide up to Rs 7,000 crore for the irrigation projects, he said.

Stating that the State Government has already grounded 30 major and 18 medium irrigation projects costing around Rs 46,000 crore, the Minister said the Government proposes to seek budgetary support of Rs 13,000 crore during 2007-08 and Rs 17,000 crore during 2008-09, taking the total State Plan outlay to Rs 47,631 crore for the irrigation projects during the period 2004-09.

He was addressing newspersons after a prolonged review meeting by the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on the irrigation projects here on Saturday. The Chief Minister has asked irrigation officials not to heed to the political pressures on irrigation projects and asked them to ensure timely completion without compromising on quality.

Apart from seeking enhanced allocations from the Centre to the tune of Rs 40,000 crore for the irrigation projects, the State Government has also urged the Planning Commission Chairman and Vice-Chairman and the Union Finance Minister to visit the prestigious irrigation projects, Mr Rosaiah said.

The State has so far incurred an expenditure of Rs 4,518.55 crore on the irrigation projects pertaining to works, land acquisition, forest and rehabilitation and resettlement. Of this, the Government has already paid Rs 3,880.55 crore till January 31, while Rs 638 crore of LoCs were released against pending bills.

Of the total irrigation funds spent so far, the Andhra region incurred an expenditure of Rs 1,057.83 crore, Rayalaseema Rs 519.91 crore and Telangana region Rs 2,302.81 crore.

According to the Finance Minister, the State Government has given administrative sanctions for irrigation projects worth Rs 30,719.34 crore and paid mobilisation advance of Rs 1,525.23 crore. The Government is now going to call for tenders to the tune of Rs 20,078 crore for eight projects, Mr Rosaiah said.