NTR District Collector Dr G Lakshmisha has announced that the district administration is committed to addressing the shortage of White Sandar Wood, also known as “Tella Poniki”. He said that this initiative will involve establishing a nursery through the collaboration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Dr Lakshmisha emphasised that this effort will support the Kondapalli toy artists in the district. The Collector convened a meeting with the Kondapalli Toys Artists Cooperative Society at Kondapalli near Vijayawada on Wednesday. During the discussions with the Collector, several artists expressed their displeasure with the shortage of raw materials such as Tella Poniki wood. Later, the Collector interacted with the artists and observed the toy-making process.
Speaking on the occasion, Lakhsmisha said that the Kondapalli Toys are the symbol of the elevation of Telugu tradition. He said with collective efforts, the State government would bring previous glory to the Kondapalli Toys and the government will support the artists. He also assured the artists that a joint committee would be formed, involving the Forest Department, the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), the District Water Management Agency (DWAMA), and other relevant departments, to ensure a steady supply of Tella Poniki wood for toy production.
He stated that, according to the regulations of the Forest Department, the district administration would assist artists in creating more attractive toys by facilitating access to Tella Poniki wood. He emphasised that he would develop a plan of action for this initiative. Additionally, he explained that the government is committed to preserving artistic heritage for future generations by providing support and encouragement to artists.
DRDA Project Director K Srinivasa Rao, DWAMA PD A Ramu, DFO G Satish, Kondapalli Municipal Commissioner Srinivasulu and others accompanied the Collector.
All set to conduct Revenue meetings
Meanwhile, the Collector told the Minister for Revenue, Stamps and Registrations, Anagani Satya Prasad, Special Chief Secretary RP Sisodia and Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA) G Jaya Lakhsmi that the NTR district is all set to conduct the revenue meetings from December 6. They are making a plan of action to resolve revenue-related issues during these meetings in the presence of officials and people’s representatives, he said.
The Collector attended the meeting from the collectorate meeting hall in Vijayawada on Wednesday. He explained that the district authority is all set to conduct revenue meetings at all 320 gram panchayats besides ward sachivalayam in Vijayawada, Nandigama, Jaggayyapeta, Kondapalli and Tiruvuru municipalities.
He said that for these meetings, a district-level officer has been appointed to each mandal to resolve the issues soon after receiving petitions from the public. A special meeting will be conducted on these revenue meetings for all MPs, MLCs, MLAs, and other elected people besides RDOs, Tahsildars and others on Thursday, he explained.
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