Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan launching the farm pond scheme, at Pudicherla village of Orvakal mandal in Kurnool district on Saturday.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan on Saturday said the NDA government was committed to turning the Rayalaseema region into ‘Ratanalaseema’

Mr. Pawan Kalyan said the government would develop the State with a comprehensive plan.

Launching the government’s ambitious programme to construct 1.55 lakh farm ponds, at Pudicherla village of Orvakal mandal, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said the NDA dispensation would strengthen the Panchayat Raj institution unlike the previous YSRCP government, and provide job opportunities in the rural areas.

“We will provide MGNREGS works for the people that will sustain them financially,” he said. Mr. Pawan Kalyan said development of villages should reflect on the financial growth of farmers.

“The previous YSRCP government has turned the MGNREGS for its benefit. We have given the responsibility of implementing the scheme without any lapses to efficient officers,” he said, adding that Kurnool district stood at the top place in the works taken up under the ‘Palle Pandaga’.

The Deputy Chief Minister said they were constructing a farm pond in six cents and a bund in two cents on a 1.3 acre land for the benefit of farmers. “There is no provision for storing water in the Rayalaseema region. We will construct farm ponds and provide water to farmers until major projects are constructed in the region,” he said.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan said over ₹9,597 crore had been spent under the MGNREGS so far to provide jobs to rural workers. He said he would soon tour every Assembly constituency and interact with the people to know their problems.