Godavari-Penna linking will stabilise ayacut: Collector

District’s average growth rate in the last 4 years was 11.8% whereas state’s growth rate was 10.35%: Mutyala Raju

Proposal sent to Centre seeking nod for the Fishing Harbour to be built at Juvvaladinne in Bogole mandal at a cost of Rs 242 crore: Collector

Nellore: District Collector R Mutyala Raju said that 10 lakh ayacut would be stabilised in the district in the coming five years with linking Godavari and Penna rivers. He unfurled national flag at parade grounds here on Saturday and addressed the gathering. He also said that they would construct farm ponds in the fields in big way as part of Neeru-Chettu and MGNREGS for raising water levels in the areas.

District Collector said average growth rate of last four years in the district has been 11.08 per cent whereas growth rate of the State was 10.35 per cent during the period. He said per capita income of the district during 2017-18 was Rs 1,56,106 whereas per capita income of the state was Rs 1,42,054, he informed.

The Collector said that this year both Southwest and Northeast monsoons have betrayed with deficient rainfall and hence the State government had shifted 48 tmcft of water from Srisailam reservoir for managing water needs for agriculture. It was only 1.42 lakh hectares were only benefited this year and the state government had announced all mandals in the district as drought-prone areas. He also said they had supported the farmers fodder, feed and cattle at subsidised prices. The Collector said that 2 lakh families are eking out living in the district on aqua where cultivation is being done in 12,731 hectares. 4.8 lakh tonnes of fish and prawn are being produced through the culture, he said.

Raju stated they had distributed fish seed 4.4 crore to 146 fishery cooperative societies under Mission Fingerling scheme at free of cost. He also said a jetty was constructed with Rs 1 crore under RIDF at Govindapalli Pattapupalem village and drawing platform at Vatturu in Kavali mandal. He further informed that they had sent proposals to the Central government for permissions for the Fishing Harbour to be built at Juvvaladinne in Bogole mandal in 78 acres with Rs 242 crore. He reminded that SACON has been deployed to study on desilting sea mouth at Rayadoruvu village in Vakadu mandal.

Mutyala Raju said they had issued identity cards to 8,278 street vendors in 7 municipalities and 800 were so far have been provided loans at Rs 15,000 each. Support of Rs 81.78 crore has been extended to 88,200 SHG women under Pasupu Kumkuma. He also said they had proposed for 51,730 houses in the entire district and in which 35,190 have so far been completed with Rs 478 crore under NTR Rural Housing scheme. Out of 58,235 lakh urban housing, 15,470 have been completed with Rs 3,800 crore, he mentioned.

The Collector said works of both Sangam and Nellore barrage works are in progress and they are expected to complete by this March. He said out of 17 Anna Canteens, 7 have are functional and 10 are under various stages. He said out of 31,483 jobless registered for employment dole and now 24,843 are being extended support.

Students of various schools in the district presented cultural activities and various departments arranged tableaus displaying development. He distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions and gave away awards to the best 252 employees. District SP Aishwarya Rastogi, Joint Collector Vetri K Selvi, and other officials were present.