CM's appeal to the I.T heads in the State  

Hyderabad|India|October'2009: Chief Minister K.Rosaiah has appealed to the I.T heads in the State to come to the rescue of flood affected people in the State and liberally contribute to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

The Chief Minister was addressing a meeting attended by the heads of IT industry, convened by the IT Department at Secretariat to day for making an appeal to them for the relief of flood affected people in the State.

Stating that the progress of IT & ITES in Andhra Pradesh in the last five years has been quite satisfactory, the Chief Minister said that when compared to the previous year, last year's performance was 24.5 per cent., higher than the previous year. “We are continuously trying to create the business and support the I.T and IT-ES”, he said.

Terming the recent floods, as the most unprecedented and unexpected which was visualized by none, the Chief Minister said that even the greatest engineers like Dr. K.L.Rao and others who were primarily responsible for the construction of Sreesailam dam would not have visualized that such a deluge would occur. In those days, they never anticipated this type of flood inflows into Sreesailam, thereby to Nagarjunasagar and from there to Prakasam Barrage. The indications given by the CWC has exceeded almost all the indications given to us. The indications were specifying 5 lakh cusecs at 3.00 p.m, according to their message. Exactly on the ground at 3.00 p.m., inflow was 9 lakh cusecs. Though specific indications were there, but it was different from the actuals, the Chief Minister said. He said that particularly, Kurnool, Mahabubnagar, Krishna, Guntur, part of Nalgonda had a very bitter experience. “I had been to Alampur in Mahabubnagar District two days earlier. I was astonished to see the lives of the people there. I do not know how they are living. They have nothing to fall back. Forget about food and other luxuries. Even to drink water, there is no water available”, the Chief Minister said. Every road is full of slush. Every house is filled with mud of 4 feet to 9 feet.

Similarly, part of Kurnool town and Nandyal were inundated, though there is no comparison between Kurnool and Nandyal. The total estimated loss is more than 2.5 billion. Though the government was trying its best to help them and to see that they come out of this unfortunate situation, still there is a lot to be done, he said. Hence, one of the largest relief and recovery efforts are required, the Chief Minister said. “We are trying to do our best, but community participation is very essential. I request all of you to have a look at this tragedy from a humanitarian angle. Lots of people are coming to help. Similarly, I thought I can make a personal request to all of you, and that is why you are invited to attend to this meeting. Originally I thought of writing a letter to all of you. Later I thought why not I make a personal appeal. My only request is that you all join in supplementing the Government’s efforts”, the Chief Minister said.

He told the invitees that the UPA Chiarperson, Mrs.Sonia Gandhi made an aerial survey in the flood affected areas on 5th. As the situation was worst she could not find it proper to get down at some place or other as she thought that some sort of disturbance to the relief works. On 9th and 10th Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was here. Both of them have expressed their utmost agony at the flood havoc. “To my knowledge, so far, in no State, Prime Minister on the first day of his visit without sending a Central Team for study of the situation has announced the relief assistance of Rs.1000 crores. Besides, the PM said that this is only first installment and Government of India is with us and supports us to the extent possible”, Mr.Rosaiah said. The Government of India team is also expected in a couple of days. The team will survey and study and based on their report there will be further relief.

Government of Andhra Pradesh also, though it is not passing through pleasant times, and in spite of its own problems and commitments, have decided to extend all out support for the victims in this unprecedented floods, the Chief Minister said. However, more resources are required to provide relief to the affected people. The Chief Minister reiterated his request to the IT heads asking them to treat it as his personal request and wanted them come forward in helping the poor flood victims in the state in their own way.

Prl.Secretary, IT, Mr. Sameer Sharma; Prl.Secretary, Industrties, Mr.Sam Bob; Advisor, IT, Mr.C.S.Rao were present.