The programme is aimed at reviving water bodies and at water conservation, he said in a letter to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
Rao told Jaitley the NITI Ayog has recommended providing Rs 5,000 crore for the next three years for 'Mission Kakatiya', a release from the Chief Minister's Office said.
Rao said the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act talked about providing special development package for backward districts of the state.
(Reopens BOM 17)
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly
Terming Rao as a "fighter", NCP leader Sunil Tatkare said, "His relentless efforts ensured justice to scores of middle and lower middle class families."
Stating that Rao's demise was an irreparable loss to the workers' fraternity, Naseem Khan, former cabinet minister and vice-president of Maharashtra Congress, said, "He fought for the empowerment of the working class throughout his life in various capacities. He represented several union related to teachers, municipal workers, auto and rickshaw drivers.