I.

T Minister of Andhra Pradesh

Sri. Ponnala Lakshmaiah

Snap shot view :

Lakshmaiah is a veteran politician with strong technical and
academic background. He is currently a Cabinet rank minister in
the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, India. He held key
portfolios in the Andhra Pradesh cabinet including Information
Technology, Communications, Endowments, Major Irrigation,
Aqua Culture and Fisheris. He has been in politics since late 70s
and has contributed his share as a Cabinet member to the growth
of AP state. He has helped pave way for irrigating hundreds of
thousands of acres of under-cultivated lands into todays
bountiful crop-yielding arable lands as minister for Major
Irrigation.
He has contributed in the areas of policy formulation for Electronic hardware, animal husbandry,
dairy development, poultry, and allied industries in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Lakshmaiahs
political career that spanned over 3 decades was focused on service to the socially and
economically challenged sections in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Family Life:

Born in a impoverished & unschooled family in Janagaon, Warangal district, Andhra

Pradesh on February 15, 1944.
The first from his family to get higher education.
Married to Aruna Devi and has two sons who are married and well settled.

Vision:
Firm believer in working for smooth coordination between the Party and the executive based on
principles and policies, keeping in view the welfare of the people and development of the state
paramount.
Education:

M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA, 1969.
B.E. Mechanical Engineering, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India, 1968.

Awards & Honors:

Nizams Charitable Trust Scholarship for Meritorious Students for Study Abroad, 1968.
Financial Assistantship from the Oklahoma State University, 1969.
Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award for outstanding contributions as Minister for
Irrigation, 2007

Oklahoma State University-COLLEGE OF Engineering, Architecture and Technology,

Hall of Fame Award, 2011.
Invited to interact with the batch of 1993 IAS in lal bahadur shastri academy.
Number of Indian International center,New Delhi.

Delegations:

National Delegate to Asia Pacific Region Countries: (1991)

To study new avenues and mechanisms to establish indigenous Aquaculture
Instrumental in launching of the World Bank Aided Projects for Aqua Culture in Andhra
Pradesh.
Delegate to SAARC Conference on Culture at New Delhi representing the State of
Andhra Pradesh. (1992)

Professional Engineering Experience: In USA (1969 1978)

Performed functions of mechanical engineering specializing in controls and pneumatic systems
involving hot gas servo systems for missile applications and equipment used for safety of people
in the aircraft.

International Controls Corporation.

Valcor Engineering Corporation.
General Pneumatics Corporation.

Political Career Highlights:

Elected as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) four times

Functioned 5 times as Minister in AP Government - 1991 1992, 2004-2009 and 2009 to
present under 5 Chief Ministers.
Elected as Member of All India Congress Committee (AICC All India Congress Party
is the reigning political party at Center as well as in State presently), New Delhi since
1991.

Ministerial Experience Highlights:

Cabinet minister for Information Technology & Communications, AP State (2010 Present)
Minister for IT & ITES sectors with export revenues of over $7.45B in 2010 (15% of
national figure)
Cabinet minister for Major & Medium Irrigation, Water Development Board (20042010).
During his term, he was responsible for the planning and undertaking of 75 Major
irrigation projects under Jala Yagnam (Jala Yagnam Jala = Water, Yagnam =
massive endeavor) that would bring over 10 million acres under irrigation at a total outlay
of $40B. Of this potential, over 2.2 million acres were brought under irrigation at an
expenditure of nearly $12B between 2004-2010. The Irrigation projects to bring the

balance 7.8 Million acres under irrigation are commissioned and presently under various
stages of completion.
The major highlights include:
75 Irrigation projects and creating jobs for over 100,000 people thus directly affecting 60
million lives.
Optimal utilization of 1,250 TMC of riparian water 70% of which would otherwise would
be wasted into the sea.
Building of longest irrigation tunnel in the world 28 miles long.
Project included building worlds 2nd highest lift irrigation scheme and first rubber dam
in Asia.
One of the largest irrigation canals, flood flow canal of Sriram Sagar Project with a
capacity of 22,000 cusecs.
The massive Jala Yagnam effort coupled with better water management system
contributed significantly to the growth in food production. (13.7 Million tonnes in the
FY200304 rose to 19.9 Million tonnes in FY2008 09 in the state of Andhra Pradesh.)
The state in absolute measure of food production is in 3rd position in the country an
impressive jump compared to the 6th position prior to the Jalayagnam in 2003-04.

Dairy Development:

Developed Dairy industry in Janagaon region (home constituency) covering 160 villages.
The milk collection grew from less than 500 Liters in 1996-97 to 35,000 Liters at
Janagaon Dairy Plant.
Developed Dairy Development societies benefiting 20,000 dairy farmers.

Poultry Development:

Established Poultry Breeding Farms in 1979 when there were no poultry farms in the
region and helped and developed a number of farmers in backward Telangana Districts.
Created Direct employment to 400 families and each employee is able to support 6 family
members on an average.
There are about 700 broiler and 400 layer commercial poultry farms in the region.
Helped get loans and government subsidies thus helped provide direct employment to
over 20,000 people.
Helped develop associated business like, feed production, vaccines, medicines, farm
equipments thus creating job opportunities to another 30,000 people indirectly.
Developed ancillary industry to support the poultry markets such as chicken centers, egg
marketing which in turn provided employment opportunities to thousands of people.
The development of poultry industry has resulted in availability of protein rich food such
as chicken and eggs.
Government of Andhra Pradesh has introduced eggs in mid-day meals in all Government
Schools for children to get nutritious food to the poor school going children.

Aqua Development:

Aqua Culture
First ever promotion of Fisher-women Cooperative Societies for marketing fish products
in the rural areas with State Financial assistance.
Instrumental in bringing all round development in aqua culture.
Got World Bank funds for developing fishing community, boosting export opportunities.
Constructed Community halls for marine and in land fishermen.
Developed prawn, fish, fresh water fish ponds etc.
Developed fish marketing facilities in State and regularized fresh water aqua culture
business.

Women Empowerment:

Responsible for the promotion & formation of Rural Women Co-operative Bank in
Janagaon (own constituency) which grew from 20 members in 1994-95 to 18,500
members by 2011 with bank assets in excess of Rs.15 Crores (approx. $4M).

Political Background:

Present Minister for Information Technology & Communications Government of Andhra

Pradesh.
2009 Contested and Won as Member of Legislative Assembly.
2004 to 2010 Minister for Major & Medium Irrigation,
2006 In-charge, Chairman of the Protocol Committee of 82nd AICC Plenary Session held
at Hyderabad.
2004 Contested and Won as Member of Legislative Assembly.
2002 Member, Public Accounts Committee, Andhra Pradesh.
Member, Constituency Re-organization (Delimitation Committee) Andhra Pradesh.
1999 Member, of Executive Committee, Congress Legislature Party.
1999 Contested and Won as Member of Legislative Assembly from JANGAON
Constituency, Warangal Dist.
Executive Member of Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee.
1991 to Present Member, All India Congress Committee.
1999 Member, Pradesh Election Committee for Parliament and Assembly Elections.
1999 Member, Pradesh Campaign Committee.
1998 In charge for Hanmakonda Parliament Elections.
1998 In charge of Metpally Constituency (Karimnagar Dist) for bye-elections.
1997 District Returning Officer in-charge of Karimnagar District in connection with
Organization Elections.
1996 Chairman, Warangal District Campaign Committee.
1996 In charge of Ananthapur District to oversee the Party Activities.
1994 Contested as Member of Legislative Assembly.
1993 Invited to interact (Lecture) with the 1993 Batch of I.A.S Probationers at Lal
Bahadur Shastri Academy, Mussourie, Uttarakhand, India.
1991 & 92 Cabinet Minister of State for Aqua Culture and Fisheries in the State Cabinet.

1991 Chairman, Foreign Delegates Committee for 79th Plenary Session at Tirupati All
India Congress Committee.
1989 - 90 Member, Pradesh Congress Committee.
1989 Contested and Won as Member of Legislative Assembly
1988 - 89 Vice-President, District Congress Committee, Warangal.
1985 - 88 Treasurer, District Congress Committee, Warangal
Member, Senate, Kakatiya University.
1985 Contested as Member of Legislative Assembly.
1978 - 85 Worked at the grass-root level campaigning for Congress candidates for
Parliament, Assembly and Local bodies.