Govt committed to providing safe drinking water: Minister

Minister for Water Resources Development has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supplying protected drinking water to 99.44 lakh families under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The Minister performed bhoomi pooja and unveiled a plaque for drinking water projects at Kaja (West), Kaja (East), and Ootada villages in Yelamanchili mandal on Sunday. The project will be executed at a cost of Rs 2.31 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister reiterated the Government’s resolve to ensure safe drinking water for every household under the scheme. He also pledged to restore the past glory of drinking water projects in the State.
He revealed that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and secured an extension of the Jal Jeevan scheme till 2027. The Chief Minister also sought Rs 55,000 crore in funds under the scheme for Andhra Pradesh. “The previous YSRCP government failed to pay the State’s share for Jal Jeevan Mission works and diverted funds meant for the programme. It spent a meagre Rs 22.50 crore on the scheme over five years, leading to its expiration in 2024,” the Minister said.
He added that the coalition Government had cleared Rs 1,674 crore in arrears owed to farmers by the previous regime. Under the current Government, payments for paddy procurement are being made within 48 hours.
Highlighting efforts to support farmers, the Minister said steps have been taken to make agriculture profitable by removing silt from canals and drains and carrying out maintenance work to ensure irrigation water supply.
“Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has accelerated development works while efficiently implementing all welfare schemes,” he added.
Tahsildar Granthi Naga Venkata Pawan Kumar, along with leaders from the TDP, BJP, and JSP, attended the programme.