Compensation totalling ₹70.17 crore due to farmers who parted with their lands for the Guntur Channel extension has been fully released, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said in a statement.

The payment process has been completed for 322 farmers from seven villages: Garapadu, Kondepadu, Yanamadala, Prattipadu, Mallayapalem, Ravipadu and GG Palem.

Mr. Pemmasani said 19 Comprehensive Financial Management System (CFMS) bills worth ₹70,17,46,929 relating to the land acquisition compensation were cleared in five instalments. The bills were cleared on March 5, May 30, July 27, August 28 and September 28, he said.

He said he had coordinated with the officials concerned to ensure that the entire compensation payable to all 322 farmers who had given their lands was released.

“The Guntur Channel development works will be taken forward with the cooperation of farmers. Steps have been taken to ensure that every farmer who gave land receives the compensation due,” he said.

Mr. Pemmasani thanked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav and Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu, besides senior officials of the departments concerned and the district administration, for their cooperation in completing the compensation payments.