Film actor Balakrishna will be leading a first ever political delegation of the people’s representatives from Anantapur district to New Delhi to press for a development package for the drought-prone district.
Mr. Balakrishna, who represents the Hindupur Assembly constituency, is known as a star campaigner for the TDP during polls and party public meetings rather than as an active politician. However, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s brother-in-law this time has been entrusted to present the plight of Anantapur before the Centre and seek funds from various Central agencies under the Desert Development Programme (DDP).
The delegation comprising Ministers Palle Raghunatha Reddy, Paritala Sunitha, MPs and MLAs will leave for a three-day Delhi tour from June 17. They will meet Union Ministers of Water Resources, Rural Development, Surface Transport, Urban Development and others to seek funds for various schemes.
The district, considered among the most backward districts in the State, registers the least rainfall in AP. It has faced 13 drought years in the last 18 years. Despite groundnut being the chief crop which is cultivated in around 7.5 lakh hectares, farmers end up incurring loss due to drought. Under the AP State Reorganisation Act, the district has been promised Rs. 50 crore under the special development package.
“ We will seek Rs.300 crore for drinking water schemes, Rs.450 crore more for roads on a priority basis,” Mr. Reddy added.
Actor and Hindupur MLA to lead TDP delegation to New Delhi
