K Chandrasekhar Rao's irrigation plans hit land value hurdle

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who plans to bring at least one crore acres in the state under irrigation in phases, is facing protests from the very people the irrigation projects are proposed to benefit. In the latest of a series, Komurvelli Mallanasagar project oustees and their supporters are protesting, demanding market value or land for their land. They have rejected the government offer of Rs 5.8 lakh per acre.

From social networking websites like Facebook to the streets, protests are mounting from friend-turned-foe TJAC chairman M. Kodandaram to the newly-constituted Mallanasagar Joint Action Committee, to Opposition parties like the Congress, BJP and the Telugu Desam. An equally angry Mr Rao has launched a counter campaign.

“People are not against the project, but want adequate compensation. Rs 5.80 lakh per acre offer is meagre. Provide land for land or better amount. The project design too is questionable. Either the government must give right compensation or construct project on their bodies,” Justice Chandrakumar said, while speaking at the Mallannasagar JAC convention here. TD working president A. Revanth Reddy announced a 48-hour deeksha in support of the project oustees. “If KCR agrees, I will arrange a compensation of Rs 25 crore for his 250 acre farmhouse at the rate of Rs 10 lakh per acre through DD in 48 hours. If needed, I will leave 5 acres for KCR,” Mr Revanth Reddy said.

Congress senior leader V. Hanumantha Rao accused the CM of pitting farmers in Telangana against each other. “Opposition and vested interests are trying to stall projects. We offered a fair compensation. Farmers should not get misled by false propaganda,” said T. Harish Rao, irrigation minister. For the Congress and TD, the parties which have been the target of TRS poaching, the farmers’ protest has come at the most opportune time.

The Rs 9,800 crore project to be located in Etigadda Kistapur of Siddipet division, Medak district, requires about 12,700 acres. So far 8,400 acres have been acquired. The project will submerge 10 villages in Thoguta and Kondapaka mandals and about 3,000 houses. It will provide irrigation and drinking water to Medak, Nizamabad, Warangal, Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy districts.