Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy vows to settle R&R package for Phase-1 Polavaram project before 2024 Assembly elections

Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on August 7 assured that the first phase of Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) package would be settled for the Polavaram project-displaced before going to the Assembly elections in early 2024. 

Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on August 7 assured that the first phase of Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) package would be settled for the Polavaram project-displaced before going to the Assembly elections in early 2024. 

On Monday, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy inspected the Kothulagutta village that was hit by the Godavari flood in Kunavaram Mandal in Chintoor agency in the Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district. 

Addressing the gathering of victims of the Godavari and Sabari floods, he has claimed; “The first phase R&R package of the Polavaram-displaced would be settled before going to the 2024 elections that are likely to be held within six months in the State”.

“The first phase of R&R package is settled for those falling within the +41.5 contour level of the Polavaram irrigation project. However, 48 habitations in the 32 villages, that are located above +41.5 contour, have also been found submerging and all these 48 habitations have been included in the first phase of the R&R drive”. 

The water should be stored up to the +41.5 contour level of the project immediately after the commissioning of the project as per the directives of the Central Water Commission. The water would be stored at the Polavaram irrigation project to its fullest capacity in the three stages based on the ‘dam design and its security design. 

“The Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) has recommended to the Central Water Commission (CWC) to sanction the pending package of the R&R first phase. The CWC has submitted these recommendations to the Ministry of Jal Shakthi which is expected to table before the Central Cabinet very soon. By August end, the Central Cabinet may approve the grant for the first phase R&R package”, said Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy.  

Meanwhile, the State government is also preparing to release the ₹3.2 lakh package for each displaced family to fulfill its promise of ₹10 lakh package (In cash) per family. Of the ₹10 lakh, the displaced families were entitled to ₹6.8 lakh package as per the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.