AP CM holds video conference with collectors

Hyderabad, April 7 (INN): In a video-conference with the district collectors, secretaries and HODs of various government departments, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu instructed the officials to ensure there is no scarcity of drinking water in the state. Ensure last mile reach is achieved through patrolling and monitoring of water supply, the Chief Minister said, stressing on recharging ground water level and individual water bodies. He has also sought district-wise action plan for the upcoming months.

Meanwhile, AP Disaster Management Commissioner Dhanunjaya Reddy briefed the Chief Minister on the initiatives taken up to brace the heat wave. The district administration along with the medical and health department has undertaken a massive awareness campaign and makeshift medical camps. Oral rehydration salts and intravenous fluids have been made available at public places. Construction workers and labourers are instructed not to work between 12 pm to 3 pm. The labour department is setting up 1,000 drinking water facilities. Daily weather bulletins from IMD will be circulated and publicized to create awareness among people.

Reviewing on the status of irrigation projects, the Chief Minister said the government aims to bring the groundwater level to -3 meters after monsoon. He directed the district officials to take construction of farm ponds on priority basis. 'Create awareness among farmers on the government's initiatives to make state drought-proof,' he said.

On sand mining, the Chief Minister asked the officials to ensure there is no exploitation of sand in the state. 'This decision was taken to help expedite construction activity in the state to have better infrastructure in place. It was decided to allow sand to be taken for free from existing quarries, but no stocking of the sand will be allowed,' he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister directed the district collectors to organize birth anniversary of social reformer Jyotirao Phule and 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on a large-scale. Celebrating the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the state government will install a 125-foot statue of BR Ambedkar in Amaravati to mark the Dalit icon's 125th birth anniversary. On 14th April, we will lay the foundation stone for 6 lakh houses. We are planning to develop the memorial as a garden, he added.

Ministers Kamineni Srinivas, Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, Peethala Sujatha, Ayyanna Patrudu, Chief Secretary S.P Tucker, CCLA A.C. Puneeta, Secretaries, HODs and others were present.