Naidu promises steel plant in Kadapa.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently promised tourism development and setting up of steel plant and other industries in Kadapa district.

Accusing the Opposition of propagating that no new industries would come up in Kadapa district, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu said he would ensure establishment of industries. As the State had a revenue deficit of Rs. 15,040 crore at the time of bifurcation, certain restrictions were imposed on securing loans, he said in Neeru Chettu awareness meeting at Veerapunayunipalle in Kamalapuram constituency. He promised to waive loans up to Rs. 10,000 to DWCRA women in the next two months and waive the remaining amounts in the subsequent quarter.

Loans to the tune of Rs. 24,000 crore were waived and phases I and II would be implemented. Accidental insurance of Rs. 5 lakh was extended to drivers and workers. Allotment of sand quarries to women groups fetched a revenue of Rs. 450 crore in the last six months.

Completion of irrigation projects and Neeru Chettu programme would improve water availability in Kadapa district, where groundwater depleted to a depth of about 1,500 feet, the Chief Minister said.

Steep depletion of groundwater would lead to flouride problem and health hazards to the people, he said All the tanks were being desilted and the mud removed could be used by farmers in their fields, he said. Mr. Naidu advocated pisciculture in about 3,000 acres and said it would fetch double the income than agriculture. Nearly 3,000 tmc of Godavari water was going to the sea and utilisation of the water would make Rayalaseema fertile, the Chief Minister said.


THE HINDU