Compensation for displaced persons of Mallanna Sagar almost completed: CM

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has issued instructions to the officer concerned that the reemployment, rehabilitation, and distribution of financial assistance program to the displaced persons who lost land under Mallana Sagar reservoir shall be completed on war footing.

He said that the compensation to the displaced person's has been almost completed and the remaining little bit shall be completed within few days and a report has to be sent to High Court before 11th of this month. Responding to the issue of payment of compensation and the observations made by High Court, the Chief Minister discussed with the officers. He reminded about the government's commitment in providing relief to the displaced persons with humanitarian approach.

The Chief Minister expressed his displeasure over circumstances leading to frequent interferences of courts despite so much is being done. He has instructed Chief Secretary SK Joshi to personally monitor and supervise the process of payment of compensation to the displaced persons. Responsibility of monitoring the distribution and compensation payment program at the field level has been entrusted to CMO Secretary Smitha Sabarwal by the Chief Minister. He has instructed that for the distribution of compensation to the displaced persons camps have to be organized village wise and for this special officers are to be nominated.

"We are constructing the largest Kaleshwaram Project for providing water for irrigation in Telangana for over 40 lakh acres with an estimated cost of Rs. 1 lakh crore. As part of this we are constructing the Mallanna Sagar Reservoir with 50 TMC capacity. Mallanna Sagar is like the heart of the Kaleshwaram Project. During the process of constructing such a huge reservoir, some people are losing their lands and houses. On this issue the Govt. is taking full care with sympathy and on humanitarian grounds.

For provision of relief and rehabilitation to the displaced persons, with an excellent package the Telangana Government has been a role model for the entire country. About Rs. 800 Crore is being spent towards compensation and rehabilitation for Mallanna Sagar displaced persons. It is unfortunate despite so much is done circumstances leading to courts interference are happening This is an unpleasant thing. In the entire process payment of only a small amount of compensation is left out. Taking advantage of this few individuals and anti progressive elements are making attempts to stall the project itself. The remaining small payment of compensation and distribution shall be completed soon and the dispute has to be settled forthwith," said the CM.

"Distribution of compensation shall be completed on war footing and the works of Mallanna Sagar Reservoir shall be taken up immediately and expedited like the Konda Pochamma Sagar Reservoir. The reservoir work shall be completed on war footing within 6 to 7 months. By the end of next June the reservoir shall be filled with water," instructed the Chief Minister.

The official machinery has immediately plunged into action immediately after the CM KCR issued instruction that the Mallanna Sagar displaced person's compensation shall be paid on war footing. CS SK Joshi, who is also handling the Irrigation Department, cancelled his proposed USA visit, held a high level review meeting with top officials of Irrigation and other concerned departments. They have drawn a plan of action for implementing the compensation payment process.

CMO Secretary Smita Sabarwal had a meeting with Siddipet Collector Krishna Bhaskar and Sircilla Collector Venkat Rami Reddy who was earlier the collector of Siddipet. She elicited the information about compensation payment and distribution till now and firmed up payment to them. It has been decided to organize special camps in 8 villages under Mallanna Sagar jurisdiction and provide compensation to displaced persons.

Further, special officers are nominated for Rampur, Laxmapur, Brahmana Banjerupally villages DRO B Chandrashekhar, Siddipet RDO M Jayachandra Reddy, Pallepahad village GADA special officer Muthyam Reddy, Siddipet RDO M Jayachandra Reddy, Hyderabad RDO Srinivas Reddy for Etigadda Kistapur Villages GADA special officer Muthyam Reddy, Siddipet RDO M Jayachandra Reddy, Sircilla RDO Srinivas, for Vemulaghat Village GADA special officer Muthyam Reddy, Siddipet RDO M Jayachandra Reddy, Secunderabad RDO Raja Goud, Husnabad RDO K Anantha Reddy, for Singaram village Gajwel RDO D Vijeyender Reddy, Malkajgiri RDO Madhusudhan, for Erravelli Village Gajwel RDO D Vijeyender Reddy have been appointed as special officers.

For Singaram and Rampur villages, distribution of cheques to 800 displaced persons as compensation has begun on Friday. In the rest of the villages under the supervision of special officer the distribution of cheques will commence from Saturday. In case if any one refuses and denies accepting the cheque, their views will be video recorded.

Each family will get Rs. 7.5 lakh, if there are two major children it will be Rs. 10 Lakh, for them 3 Plots equivalent to 750 Sq. Yards amounting to Rs. 75 Lakh market value besides compensation for house and house sites as per the area.