Vijayawada, Jul 13: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the officials concerned to take steps to construct check-dam type structures near bridges on small rivers across the state so that water could be impounded up to 3-4 feet which would help to increase the groundwater level.

The Chief Minister held a review meeting in his camp office on Tuesday on the progress of works in Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Departments and directed the officials to complete the works of Village Secretariats, Village Clinics, and Digital libraries by year-end.

The Chief Minister said that the YSR Jala Kala project, a prestigious project will be helpful to lakhs of farmers and directed the officials to focus on effective implementation of the project.

He instructed the officials to complete geotagging and review the progress of the construction of those buildings. He asked the officials to start the works related to the development of infrastructure facilities in YSR Jagananna colonies on a priority basis. He also directed them to give importance to the cleanliness drive program to keep the villages clean.

The Chief Minister accorded permission to launch 14,000 tricycles in villages and 1034 autos in urban areas. 23,747 green ambassadors and 4,482 green guards were on duty for door-to-door collection of garbage across the state and approval was given to recruiting additional 11,453 green ambassadors and 5,551 green guards. It was decided to use heavy machinery for waste management including 9148 Incinerators, 3279 Mist Blowers, 3197 Brush Cutters, 3130 Hypertension Toilet Cleaners, 165 Portable Thermal Fogging Machines, and 157 Shedding Machines were arranged.

“The solid and liquid waste management systems in villages and towns should be carried out properly and Clean Andhra Pradesh will be possible only if municipal and panchayat raj departments work in coordination on it”, he said.

Jagan Mohan Reddy asked the officials to set up a committee with three ministers for effective implementation of the YSR Jagananna Saswatha Bhoomi Hakku-Bhoomi Rakshana scheme. The committee would comprise Panchayat Raj, Revenue and Municipal administration ministers and focus on effective implementation of comprehensive land survey.

The officials explained to the Chief Minister the progress of various works under the Rural Development department. Panchayat Raj Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, Panchayat Raj Principal Secretary Gopala Krishna Dwivedi, and Panchayat Raj Commissioner Girija Shankar were among those who attended. (UNI)