The Hindu Business Line : AP seeks Rs 8,500-cr loan for micro-irrigation

Hyderabad, Sept. 28 The Andhra Pradesh Government is negotiating with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a Rs 8,547-crore loan to meet the funding requirement for a State-wide micro irrigation project.

Talks are already underway with the Israeli Government and companies for efficient water management through micro-irrigation network. The Government has drawn up a perspective plan to provide water to 5,40,000 acres through the proposed system.

Optimum utilisation

The micro-irrigation project is aimed at optimum utilisation of water resources and at enhancing yields through scientific management.

The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, on Sunday said that the Government is committed to completing various programmes, including 81 major and medium irrigation projects initiated by Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Project completion

Of the 81 major and minor irrigation projects taken up in the last five years — 12 of them have been completed and 13 partially completed, while work on the others is being expedited.

Mr Rosaiah said that the State Government has requested the Centre to delcare Polavaram and six other major irrigation ventures as national projects. While Polavaram is poised to secure national project status, the Centre responded positively to other projects too.

Welfare schemes

Referring to various welfare schemes, such as supply of rice to poorer sections for Rs 2 a kg, free power supply to the farm sector, fee reimbursement for students belonging to the weaker sections, social security pensions, and schemes such as Arogyasri and Abhayaasthan for artisans, Mr Rosaiah said all of them would be continued.

With severe drought conditions prevailing in over 1,000 mandals, the Government has stepped up measures to overcome the crisis. Alternative crops have been taken up and the supply of drinking water has been streamlined.

The administration was constantly monitoring prices of commodities to keep them under check.

The Chief Minister said that the Government has included H1N1 treatment under the Arogyasri programme to support the needy.

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AP seeks Rs 8,500-cr loan for micro-irrigation