The Rajampet

KADAPA: Bhoomi pooja will be performed for the new Kadapa-Bangalore railway line on July 24 or 25, Union Minister of State for Steel A. Sai Prathap said on Sunday.

A sum of Rs. 138 crore was allocated for the railway line and the Railway Ministry allotted Rs. 19 crore for land acquisition, he said at the in Kadapa District Review Committee meeting here. Electrification and doubling work on the Guntakal-Renigunta railway line had been completed, he said.

Drinking water

The government allocated Rs. 39.80 crore to augment drinking water supply in Kadapa district, Minister for Roads and Buildings Galla Aruna Kumari said.

Praja Patham

During the recent Praja Patham, 14,390 representations were received in Kadapa district and officials had disposed of 2,635 representations and the remaining were in various stages of perusal, the Minister said.

Stating that there was no dearth of seed and fertilizer for kharif, the Minister told officials to ensure rescheduling of farmers' loans and grant of fresh loans. Crop insurance amounting to Rs. 34 crore was sanctioned for damaged sunflower crop for last Rabi season, Ms. Aruna Kumari said.

She lauded DEO S. Srinivasa Rao for the department's efforts as Kadapa district stood fourth in SSC Examination results. Ms. Aruna Kumari said she apprised her Cabinet colleague J. Geeta Reddy on the need to conduct Sri Krishna Devaraya Panchasatha Pattabhisheka Mahotsavam in Kadapa district as inscriptions dating back to his rule were found on tank beds.

Minister for Minority Welfare Mohd. Ahmedullah said the government released funds for fee reimbursement and mid-day meals. District Collector Shashi Bhushan Kumar said the district received 118.6 mm. of rainfall in June as against normal rainfall of 69 mm.