The Andhra Pradesh Minister for BC Welfare & Empowerment, Kollu Ravindra, today launched the 'Janmabhoomi-Maa Vooru' (JBMV) programme at a housing colony in his constituency here.
"The third round of the 'Janmabhoomi-Maa Vooru' is being conducted from today till January 11 in the state," the minister said, while inaugurating the programme from the first ward at the Andhra Pradesh Housing Board Colony, in the Machilipatnam Municipal Corporation premises.
"Machilipatnam Deep Sea Port Works would be set up this year. Ships would start arriving at the Machilipatnam port in 2017," he said.
The Machilipatnam Area Development Authority (MADA) Bill, which was introduced and passed in the current Assembly session, would be very useful for the city's all-round development, including the proposed Machilipatnam Port and the port-based industries, he said.
The minister asserted that the government would not acquire farmers' land without their consent. The government would procure land for the Machilipatnam Port and the port-based industries on 'land pooling' basis, and not under an acquisition, he said.
The main theme of the Janmabhoomi-Maa Vooru programme is 'Smart Village, Smart Ward (SVSW) towards Smart Andhra Pradesh' in all the Gram Panchayats and Wards, he said.
The 'Smart Village, Smart Ward' programme intends to achieve Smart Infrastructure, Smart Service Delivery, Smart Technology and Innovation, he said.
Under the programme, the state officials would distribute pension, new ration cards, etc, he said.
"Rs 32 crore was sanctioned under the Amrutha Scheme to the Machilipatnam Municipal Corporation for infrastructure development. The state government also sanctioned Rs 56 crore for carrying out drainage works," he apprised.
The minister later participated in the JBMV programme at the city's second ward.
City Mayor M Baba Prasad and other TDP leaders accompanied the minister on the occasion.
