Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Panchayath Raj, Environment and Forests, Pawan Kalyan inaugurated the Chakcha Bridge constructed at Sunkarametta Coffee Estates at a cost of Rs 19 lakhs in Araku Mandal on Tuesday. Prior to that, he planted saplings in the coffee plantations along with Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation Chairman Sujaya Krishna Ranga Rao.

He also visited a photo gallery set up under the aegis of The Forest Development Corporation and appreciated the efforts being made for the development of eco-tourism. Forest Development Corporation VC and Managing Director Dr Rajendra Prasad Kajuria, District Collector Dinesh Kumar, and others were present on the occasion.

Leaders of Sarpanches' Welfare Association and sarpanches of tribal villages of Alluri Seetharama Raju district met Pawan Kalyan at Araku. Stating that panchayats are facing difficulties due to over-payment of interest on electricity bills, they urged the government to revive the programme of providing free electricity to minor panchayats. Also a petition was submitted seeking recognition of tribal hamlets/tandas as separate panchayats and increasing the assistance for the construction of houses in tribal villages to Rs 5 lakh.