FLOOD RELIEF AND REHABILITATION INITIATIVE LOK SATTA PARTY - REPORT ON BY

REPORT ON
FLOOD RELIEF AND REHABILITATION INITIATIVE
                   BY

             LOK SATTA PARTY

In October 2009, unprecedented floods created severe havoc and devastation in
five districts of Andhra Pradesh, evacuating thousands of people. In the wake of
floods, neighborhoods were destroyed; families were scattered and leaving victims
to tackle unparalleled tragedy.

 Lok Satta Party, as a responsible stakeholder, initiated flood relief and
rehabilitation program to address the need. Lok Satta Party immediately alerted
volunteers of surrounding districts to support flood victims and reduce trauma of
affected. On war footing Lok Satta Party has enabled a helpline to garner the
support of all concerned citizens and immediately constituted a team to coordinate
flood relief activities.

In this exigency, Lok Satta Party’s primary focus has been dispatching aid material
to the flood victims, deputing medical teams, running relief camps in few flood
affected villages and coordinating with volunteers in delivering the necessary
support. Lok Satta Party has extended its support to the government officials
dealing with relief activities and has made timely suggestions.

After the relief operations, Lok Satta Party has shifted its focus towards long term
rehabilitation programs. In consultation with local party functionaries, Lok Satta
Party has decided to adopt four villages in four badly affected districts viz Guntur,
Krishna, Mahabubnagar and Kurnool. In consultation with the villagers of selected
villages Lok Satta Party undertook following.

1) School building at Kesavaram (Mahabubnagar District):
 Lok Satta Party supported addition of three rooms to an upper primary school in
the flood-ravaged Kesavaram village in Aija mandal of Mahbubnagar district. Lok
Satta Party deployed modern technology – Light Weight Construction
Methodology introduced by LCM India Private Limited --to augment
accommodation in the school by adding 1000 square feet in less than a month.
Lok Satta team in the village also succeeded in getting five unauthorized liquor
outlets in the village shut down. As a result, most of the residents have stopped
drinking.

2)Reverse-Osmosis Plant at Poolathota (Kurnool District):
Lok Satta Party has set up a reverse osmosis plant to provide safe drinking water in
Poolathotha village of Kurnool district. Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan inaugurated the
reverse osmosis plant on Febraury 4th.

3)Community Hall at Venkataraju Nagar:
Lok Satta Party took up the construction of community hall at Venkataraju Nagar
in Repalle mandal of Guntur district. Construction of community hall of length 50
feet and 20 feet width was completed in record time. The villagers also took pledge
to close the unauthorized belt shop in the village and abstain from drinking.
Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan, President of Lok Satta Party, inaugurated the building on
20th July 2010.

4)Lift irrigation scheme at Chiravolu lanka:
After the unforeseen floods, Lok Satta Party adopted the work of revival of lift
irrigation scheme at South Chiravolu lanka in Avanigadda mandal of Krishna
district for overall betterment.
Andhra Pradesh State Irrigation Development Corporation Limited (APSIDC)
informed that lift irrigation scheme was constructed and commissioned by
APSIDC during March, 2000 to irrigate an ayacut of 675 acres under RIDF-III.
Due to many problems, the scheme is not functioning to its capacity and needs
repairs. APSIDC welcomed Lok Satta Party gesture to adopt revival of South
Chiravolu lanka lift irrigation scheme.The Krishna District Collector has approved
the proposal of Lok Satta Party. APSIDC has prepared a budget of Rs. 13 lakhs for
repairs as the share of Lok Satta Party. The work is nearing completion. On July
19th Dr.JP has inspected the lift irrigation reconstruction scheme in Dakshina
Chiravolu Lanka in Avanigadda mandal. Revival of this lift irrigation schemes
brings 675 acres under irrigation.

Lok Satta Party urged the Prime Minister to set up a National Disaster force in
multiple locations, to strengthen the bunds of Krishna River, to relocate the ‘lanka’
villages and set to up an expert committee to study the climatic change and flood
mitigation.

Responding to the same Mullapally Ramchandran, Minister of State Home Affairs,
Government of India wrote a letter to Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan, that the Centre
would extend its generous support to the State after receiving the AP State
government’s report on strengthening the bunds based on its techno-economic
viability. In response to Dr.JP’s suggestion that a National Disaster Relief Force be
stationed at multiple locations, the Union Minister informed that a battalion of the
National Disaster Response Force would be located at Vijayawada. The Union
Minister also informed that Union Ministry of Water Resources has already
constituted a Standing Committee of experts to assess the impact of climate
change.

Lok Satta Party leaders met Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri K.Rosaiah and
appealed to get funds from the Government of India and complete rehabilitation
measures speedily.

Thanks to the generous support of donors and active involvement of volunteers.
Lok Satta Party was able to undertake relief and rehabilitation in the flood affected
districts with the involvement of the affected people.

Flood Relief and Rehabilitation ‐ At a Glance
                                                     Expenditure
          Activity                  location                            Impact
                                                     Amount (Rs)
  Distribution of flood-aid      Mahabubnagar,         1,147,534   Immediate relief to
          material             Kurnool, Guntur and                   flood victims
                                 Krishna districts

Addition of three classrooms     Kesavaram, Ija        275,000      Spacious school
  to government primary             mandal,                            building
          school                 Mahabubnagar
                                    district

  Construction of reverse-     Poolathota, Kurnool     283,735     Protected and safe
      osmosis plant             mandal, Kurnool                    drinking water to
                                     district                           villagers

Construction of community       Venkatarajunagar,      450,870     Permanent multi-
           hall                  Repalle mandal,                     use building
                                 Guntur district

Repairs to South Chiravolu       Chiravolulanka,       1,275,000    Irrigation for an
Lanka lift irrigation scheme   Avanigadda mandal,                  ayacut of 675 acres
                                 Krishna district