HYDERABAD: After losing in all courts, Congress party is creating more mockery in politics by organising round-table meetings to criticise the ruling party, said Telangana Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao. “The Congress party has been lethargic over development projects in Telangana and movement for separate statehood as well,” he opined. “The Congress party clearly knows that completion of Kaleshwaram project will end its future in Telangana. Telangana Congress leaders are backstabbing their own Telangana people by creating hurdles for development projects. The Congress party is now on the lines of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam (TD) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, creating obstacles for Telangana,” he said. “Now, JAC has also joined hands with the Congress party,” Rao added.
“Since Telangana CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao gives utmost priority to agriculture sector, the Chief Minister urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give national project status to Pranahita-Chevella. The Congress party failed to make an agreement with Mahara-shtra government but KCR clinched the historic deal in favour of Telangana people. KCR has achieved in just seven months what the Congress party couldn’t do in seven years. CWC in March 2015 made a key announcement that no water is available at Tummidi Hatti, which is a mirage whereas Medigadda is an oasis,” the Minister said.
“We know the impact of Almatti on Nagarjuna-sagar and Babli on Sriramsagar projects. Such disaster shouldn't happen to Kaleshwaram. So, KCR proposed the project at Medigadda. Cong-ress party issued first GO, allocating '17,000 crores to Pranahita-Chevella project. Within 19 months, the party increased the project cost by 2.5 times. But in Kaleshwaram project cost escalation, we have several factors in it. TRS Government increa-sed land compensation by six times, increased number of reservoirs and lifts, and further expansion of ayacut under projects as well,” the minister said.
“Over time, after formation of Telangana state, Congress party developed abhorrence on Telangana. Congress party doesn’t like implementing irrigation projects in the state. “Firstly Congress tried to create hurdles for projects by filing numerous petitions in High Court and Supreme Court. Moreover, Congress party doesn’t want completion of Kaleshwaram project and irrigation projects across the state. After all its attempts went unsuccessful, now the Congress party is creating noise by organising round-table meetings,” the minister added.
“I question the Congress party whether it thought of utilising Telangana’s stake of 954 tmc in Godavari anytime. Cong-ress party announced completion of Sriram-sagar project after 37 years, but couldn’t irrigate even six lakh acres. TRS Government is aiming to irrigate 9.25 lakh acres. The Congress party has not taken a medium irrigation project on Godavari but we completed mid-Manair project. Rallavagu and Mathadi projects have also been completed,” he said. “Congress leader Damodar Rajanarsimha, Prof. Kodandaram and few advocates toured in villages in project areas and tried to brainwash people, Mr Rao said.
