CM Revanth Reddy raps officials, orders faster restoration of rain-hit infrastructure

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to expedite the restoration of roads, buildings, tanks, and other infrastructure damaged by the recent heavy rains.

Expressing displeasure over their complacency in utilising the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), he stressed that sufficient money were available and instructed them to use the money effectively and submit utilisation certificates. He also enquired about the release of Central funds for rain-related losses in Khammam and Warangal last year, and asked departments such as Roads & Buildings and Panchayat Raj to prepare detailed reports on both past and current damages. A delegation led by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka will present the reports during a meeting with Union Ministers on September 4.

The CM issued these directions during a video conference with senior officials and district collectors on Monday evening.

Officials informed Mr. Revanth Reddy that 257 tanks had suffered breaches during the recent heavy rains. He, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the neglect of the minor irrigation sector and instructed officials to take up works under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana and other Centrally sponsored schemes.

Recalling that water users associations were earlier given responsibility for maintaining projects, lakes, and distributaries, he asked Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy to review the guidelines and submit new proposals, on which the Cabinet would take a decision.

Agriculture officials reported that crops spread across 2.36 lakh acres in 82 mandals were damaged, as per preliminary estimates. The CM said the matter would be taken up with the Centre if a comprehensive damage report was submitted within two days.

He also directed Energy Secretary Navin Mittal to replace inundated sub-stations with upgraded machinery of higher capacity. Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao was asked to review the condition of streetlights with Municipal Administration, Panchayat Raj and GHMC officials, and propose solutions for effective maintenance. 

He, however, expressed satisfaction over the services of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in flood-hit areas, appreciating their rescue of 217 people in 42 operations.

Interacting with the Collectors of Kamareddy, Adilabad, Rajanna Sircilla and Kumram Bheem Asifabad, he reviewed the ground situation and instructed them to speed up relief and rehabilitation measures and release compensation to affected families.

He asked the officials to be better prepared for more untimely rains and floods in future in view of the changing climate situation. The district collectors and superintendents of police should stay alert all the time and take up relief measures at the field level. The State government would release ₹10 crore for districts which suffered extensive damages and ₹5 crore each to those that suffered to a lesser extent, as contingency funds.