Venkaiah Naidu adopts Andhra
Pradesh village affected by cyclone Hudhud
New Delhi: Union Urban Development Minister
Venkaiah Naidu has adopted Chepala Uppada village of Andhra Pradesh's
Visakhapatnam district for rehabilitation and development in the aftermath of
recent cyclone Hudhud that ravaged north coastal districts of the state. This
fishermen village and the surrounding hamlets were severely affected by the
cyclone.
Naidu has decided to donate his one month salary besides a
contribution of Rs 25 lakhs from MPLADS funds for rebuilding of Chepala Uppada
village and adjoining hamlets. Resources will also be mobilised from other sources like Trusts
and NGOs in this regard, according to a close aide of Naidu.
Nellore based Swarna Bharati Trust offered Rs 10 lakhs for
rehabilitation of this village.
Over the last two days, Naidu has extensively toured the
cyclone-affected areas of north coastal Andhra Pradesh for an assessment of the
ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
He convened a meeting of representatives of over 20 central
government departments and agencies at Visakhapatnam and reviewed the measures
being taken for restoration of different kinds of services to the public.
Naidu also reviewed the progress on the rehabilitation front
with Collectors of Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam districts. He
also discussed the situation with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu
Naidu. Visakhapatnam Steel Plant(VSP) management handed over a cheque of Rs
five crore to Naidu for rehabilitation of Hudhud affected areas. Four grand
children of Naidu also contributed Rs 5,000 each to AP Chief Ministers' Relief
Fund.
During his discussions with AP Chief Minister, the union minister suggested
that a separate entity may be created for integrated development of
Visakhapatnam with representation from the Centre for promoting 'Smart City'
features.
Naidu spoke to Finance Minister Arun Jaitely over phone and
urged him to direct the concerned authority for speedy settlement of insurance
claims and rescheduling of bank loans of all the cyclone-affected people and
Jaitely assured him that needful would be done.
Expressing concern over soil erosion on beaches of
Visakhapatnam, Naidu said, this issue will be taken up with the Environment
Ministry to provide long term measures.
He directed the municipal authority to take necessary awareness
generation measures for preventing littering of beaches as part of Swachh
Bharat Mission and also participated in the cleaning of beaches along with
local people.
PTI