SIDDIPET : “Come with your engineer to Vemulaghat and I will come along with mine to discuss whether a big project like Mallanna Sagar is required or not,” TJAC chairman Prof Kodandaram challenged the government.There won’t be any threat to your lives and if required, I will keep my life for yours, Kodandaram said, adding that people are saying that they don’t need 50 tmc ft capacity Mallanna Sagar project (MSP) but the government is behaving blindly. It may be recalled that the relay hunger strike of Vemulaghat villagers reached 500th day on Tuesday.
Prof Kodandaram reached Vemulaghat village on Tuesday to express solidarity with the oustees. Speaking on the occasion, he said that when farmers give land for the project constructions, they should be able to live respectfully outside. Farmers and land has an endless bond, the TJAC chief said. Chief Minister had said that water will be diverted from Mid Manair to Kaleshwaram project, then what is the need to construct Mallanna Sagar project with such a huge capacity? he questioned, stating that half of the water is needed for Mid Manair.
Congress senior leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy expressed solidarity with the oustees and alleged TRS leaders are constructing Mallanna Sagar project for money laundering. He added that he is ready to face court case on the issue.The senior leader claimed that when retired chief engineer Hanumanth Rao had suggested for the construction of projects like those in Haryana, TRS leaders branded him as an Andhra officer. He said that on the advice of Hanumanth Rao, he visited Haryana and found that the government is providing irrigation water through canals for the past 35 years.
CPI state secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram said that the struggle of Vemulaghat farmers is a role model for the country. He said the final victory will be of the farmers and assured full support to their struggle.
State Oustees Porata Samithi president Venkat said that officials will come to Vemulaghat village on October 21 for discussion and questions are to be asked on three issues. Those include project detail report, increased registration rates as per 2013 act and the reason why Mallanna Sagar project is to be constructed here. Gadhe Inaiah and others also expressed solidarity to Vemulaghat farmers.