(DNS Report: P. Raja Beauro Chief, Amaravati)

Amaravati, Feb 17, 2023 (DNS Online) : Communist Party of India (CPI) national executive member Akkineni Vanaja criticized that after YSRCP government came to power in the AP state, it is completely neglecting to irrigation projects, due to which the agriculture sector is in under crisis. She said that the work of Polavaram project is not progressing, even though the central government has recognized it as a national project, it is being careless in providing funds and the state is not supporting the centre.

In a media conference held at Rajahmundry CPI office on Thursday, she said that although 67 percent of the people in the state depend on agriculture, the state government is not allocating funds to complete the irrigation projects. He said that the

CPI team has taken action to study the actual conditions by visiting all the irrigation and drinking water projects in the state along with the Polavaram project. A CPI team under the leadership of CPI state secretary Ramakrishna will leave Rajamahendravaram and visit the Polavaram project on 20th of this month. It is outrageous that the Center has so far released only 5 thousand 800 crores for the Polavaram project.

He disclosed that a full report on the projects will be prepared and a round table meeting will be held in Vijayawada with all political parties, farmers' associations and experts from various fields. He said that despite 30 tmcs of water being stored in the Gandikota project, there are no canals to divert it for agriculture.

He said that Chalo has been called to Vijayawada on March 2 to take

up agitation across the state. Along with the Polavaram project, they demanded funds for construction of Amaravati capital and special status to the state immediately. CPI District Secretary Tatipaka Madhu and others participated in the meeting