Irrigation accorded top priority in Andhra Pradesh, says Minister

Minister for BC Welfare S. Savitha inspecting the civic works in Penukonda of Sri Sathya Sai district on Friday. Minister for Backward Classes and Textiles S. Savitha on Friday reiterated that the coalition government was working for the development and welfare of all sections of society, with a clear vision and top priority accorded to irrigation.Inspecting municipal wards in Penukonda in Sri Sathya Sai district, Ms. Savitha interacted with residents and enquired about the delivery of welfare schemes. She assured them of early redressal of civic issues, including roads, drainage and sanitation.She said works worth ₹40 lakh had been completed in some wards of the municipality, while works worth another ₹60 lakh were under way. “A sum of ₹20 crore has been sanctioned for the overall development of the municipality,” she said.Later, Ms. Savitha handed over house possession certificates to Grama Kantam beneficiaries at their doorsteps. She also announced ₹1 lakh from her personal funds for the development of the Nagulakatta waterway at Sriramulayya Colony.She criticised former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s remarks on irrigation projects, saying he had “no moral right to speak on irrigation”.The State government was studying all possible options to address the problems faced by farmers due to El Niño and rainfall deficit and to ensure water security for crops, she said.Ms. Savitha said the government had prioritised the release of water through the Polavaram left canal, the launch of the first phase of the Veligonda project and expediting the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi works to strengthen irrigation security across the State. Published - September 18, 2026 07:02 pm IST