Harish Rao, a prominent leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has strongly condemned Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for his recent remarks during a press conference, at Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad. Rao alleged that Reddy’s language was inflammatory and unbefitting for someone in such a constitutional position. He particularly took issue with Reddy’s statements, which Rao characterised as disturbing and misleading, as they failed to address the pressing irrigation needs of farmers in the state amid ongoing drought conditions.

Rao accused Reddy of diverting attention away from critical issues such as irrigation by instead making statements regarding violence against political rivals. He referred to Reddy’s comments as shocking and expressed concern that such rhetoric has no place in a democratic society. Farmers in Telangana are reportedly clamouring for irrigation water, yet Reddy focused on aggression instead of offering solutions.

Concerns Over Irrigation Management

Further critiquing the Chief Minister, Harish Rao claimed that the Congress-led state government is neglecting the use of available Godavari waters, despite sufficient inflows that could assist in addressing farmers’ needs. He noted that the government’s earlier assertions regarding the water levels had been proven incorrect following a public visit by BRS working president KT Rama Rao.

Referring to technical aspects of the irrigation infrastructure, Rao asserted that the operations of the Kannapalli Pump House should not be halted. The pumps are designed to operate at water levels of 93.5 metres, and as the current level stands at 97.5 metres, he indicated that the Chief Minister’s decision to keep the pumps idle lacks engineering justification. Rao mentioned that even Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy had interjected during the Chief Minister’s remarks to correct misconceptions.

Rao contended that retired irrigation engineers, once labelled experts by the Congress, are now being threatened for recommending action to utilise available water. He clarified that these engineers have consistently advocated for methods to transfer water to beneficiaries, a stance substantiated before the Justice Ghosh Commission.

Implications of Inaction on Water Supply

In his statements, Harish Rao underscored the risks posed by the government’s inaction regarding water supply, particularly in critical sectors such as drinking water and power generation. Currently, the Yellampalli reservoir reportedly holds only about 4 to 5 TMC of usable water, which is inadequate for meeting the various demands placed upon it.

Examining historical context, Rao contrasted irrigation expansions under the BRS government with previous Congress achievements, noting that while the latter irrigated a mere 6.64 lakh acres over a decade, the BRS has managed to bring irrigation to approximately 48.74 lakh acres. He specifically mentioned advancements in the Mahabubnagar district, where the BRS has successfully increased irrigation coverage significantly.

Rao also defended the fiscal management of the Kaleshwaram Project, rejecting claims that expenditures have ballooned to Rs 1 lakh crore. He specified that the actual costs are around Rs 87,000 crore, with substantive benefits realised from constructed infrastructure.

Further, he raised concerns regarding lapses in irrigation infrastructure maintenance over recent years, citing incidents of structural failures that have adversely impacted the state’s irrigation capabilities. He questioned why officials associated with problematic projects are engaged in overseeing critical systems like Medigadda, suggesting a lack of accountability.

Call for Immediate Action

In conclusion, Rao urged the government to prioritise farmer welfare over political considerations and to activate the Kannapalli and Devadula pumping systems without further delay. He expressed willingness to face punitive measures if it meant safeguarding the interests of Telangana’s agricultural community, emphasising that the focus should be on preventing further harm to farmers and ensuring they receive the necessary resources for their crops.

His rhetoric underscores a call to action for government officials to refocus their efforts and address pressing agricultural needs, signalling a clear message to prioritise the well-being of the state’s farmers amidst ongoing challenges.

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