HYDERABAD: Dismissing the allegations levelled by Opposition Congress that the state government has mortgaged the interests of Telangana while signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to share water with Maharashtra, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said it (the signing of pact) is not mortgaging the interests of the state. “We need our waters. For this we need tact to deal,” Rao opined.
Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks to Governor’s address in the state Legislative Assembly Sunday, the CM, as a dress rehearsal to his power point presentation on irrigation sector, scheduled for March 30, touched various aspects of the recent pact with Maharashtra government. At the same time, Rao didn’t miss the opportunity to give a thorough dressing down to the Opposition members. “You have trumpeted the achievements of former CM late YS Rajasekhara Reddy who had acted against the interests of Telangana and connived against Telangana projects”, the CM thundered amid protests from Congress members.
“The governments of united AP had always tried to entangle Telangana irrigation projects in inter-state and environment issues. The projects never witnessed any progress. Now, we have befriended our neighbouring Maharashtra,” Rao explained.
Clearing the doubts about reengineering of Pranahita-Chevella, Rao explained that Maharashtra never allowed to construct Tummadi Hatti barrage with 152 metres. That was why the State government planned to construct Medigadda barrage. “Plenty of water is available at Medigadda site in Indravati and Pranahita rivers. Around 1,470 tmc of water is flowing into the sea from Medigadda while there is no water in Godavari. Singuru has dried up for the first time this year in the last 35 years,” Rao pointed out while defending the decision to construct Medigadda barrage.
“The recent agreement with Maharashtra was to form an inter-state board to take up joint irrigation projects between Maharashtra and TS. An official team from Maharashtra would visit the state on March 19 to discuss about the height of individual barrages. Later, the irrigation ministers of both the states will meet and finally the inter-state board will take a decision. The final agreements on individual barrages will be taken at Chief Ministers’ level,” Rao said.
On Congress member G Chinna Reddy’s demand to draw water for Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) from Jurala, Rao shot back: “Do you have any knowledge about it?. The capacity of Jurala is just 12 tmc and it will dry up within two days if water is drawn from for PRLIS. That is why we wanted to take water for Srisailam foreshore. Chinna Reddy is opposing the decision to draw water from Srisailam as he is an Andhra leader,” he ridiculed.
Rao even advised the Opposition to stop insulting Telangana. “Stop your foolish acts that which will defame Telangana. Do not insult the state,” he said.
While wrapping up his speech, the CM vowed to complete Mission Bhagiratha by December 2018. “I have achieved Telangana state. I will complete Mission Bhagiratha by December 2018. I will complete the projects and see that the share of water for Telangana from Krishna and Godavari rivers are fully utilised during the next four to five years. I will overcome all obstructions to achieve this, even if any one conspire against the projects,” he thundered.