Hyderabad: In yet another major concession to farmers, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced waiver of water cess arrears amounting to nearly Rs 800 crore on Wednesday.
Mr Rao also announced abolition of water cess in the state. Mr Rao made this announcement while addressing a public meeting in Medak after laying the foundation stone for the construction of a district collectorate complex and the SP’s office complex.
The water cess arrears have been accumulated over 15 years. The undivided AP government used to collect water cess from farmers for using irrigation facilities in their fields. The amount used for maintenance of projects, canals and to meet other operational costs for irrigation facilities.
Mr Rao said that the government would bear all the expenses to provide irrigation to farmers.
“In Telangana state, water cess will no longer be collected from farmers. The government will bear all the expenses to provide irrigation facility,” Mr Rao declared.
The CM appreciated Medak collector Dharma Reddy for bringing this issue to his notice during his speech from the dais.
“He is not a political leader. But still he is concerned over the plight of farmers. He says farmers in Medak owe water cess arrears of nearly Rs 50 crore. This will be Rs 600 crore to Rs 800 crore across the state,” Mr Rao said.
“Deputy speaker Padma Devender Reddy also brought this issue to my notice earlier and I told her we will take an appropriate decision on this at an appropriate time.
