T. Harish Rao,  Irrigation minister launched the second lift of the Kalwakurthy project in Mahbubnagar district at a function on Thursday.

After the launch, he spoke to the public. There he criticized the Telugu Desam and the Congress, especially Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

He said "Chief minister is trying to stall irrigation projects in Telangana by lobbying in New Delhi and approaching the courts. The government, would not bow to pressure, and complete all projects come what may. Chandrababu Naidu is trying to bring pressure on the Centre to convene the apex committee meet and stop the Palamuru Lift Irrigation scheme. Telugu Desam says the project is a new one, there is no water in Krishna, we don’t have rights and it should be stopped."

Rao also said "during the TDP regime only Rs 12 crore was spent for the project after laying the foundation stone. The work took off after TRS government came to power and said 1.20 lakh acres would be irrigated with the help of the two lifts. 70% of the project was completed and the balance would be finished in the next nine months. The irrigation minister said that six lakh acres would be irrigated by the project by the next Kharif season."

He said "according to government officials, the Mahatma Gandhi Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme was designed in 2005 to provide irrigation to 3.6 lakh acres and water to chronically drought-prone 303 villages in Mahbubnagar. After the TRS government came to power in 2014, it allocated funds for completing the long-pending project. As part of the project, lifts were proposed at three places. While one is at Yellore and was inaugurated in 2012 and is irrigating about 12,000 acres, the other two at Jonnalaboguda and Gudipalli were inaugurated on Thursday."

He said "farmers would get water for 3.5 lakh acre now and 6 lakh acre by the next Kharif season. During Congress rule, the foundation stone was laid simultaneously for Handri-Neeva and Kalwakurthy. Handri-Neeva was completed, but Kalwakurthy was ignored. During Congress and TD rule, only 50 per cent works were completed but they falsely claim 98 per cent, 90 per cent, and the likes. Mr. Naidu and Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy had repeatedly inaugurated the project."

Rao added, “Does the TD, which is trying to deny water from Palamuru, have the right to stay in TS? Naidu takes Godavari waters through Pattiseema. We have to get 45 TMC as our share as per the Bachawat Award. Congress and TD Desam are filing cases in the courts. So far eight to nine cases are in High Court and Supreme Court."

The irrigation minister also slammed TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy for threatening to file cases in court if the government carved out Nagarkurnool district. “Do you want Nagarkurnool district or not?” he asked the crowds, who raised their hands in support.

Also Read: Polavaram Ordinance tabled in Lok Sabha

BY M. DIVYA SRI