Hyderabad: Irrigation minister N, Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday said the state government aimed at providing irrigation to 6 lakh acres using small lift irrigation schemes, a sector that was neglected during the previous BRS regime.
The minister, chairing a review of small lift schemes in Huzurnagar and Kodad Assembly constituencies, said there were 35 such schemes in Huzurnagar, and another 19 in Kodad. The meeting, held in Kodad, was attended by the Kodad MLA N Padmavathi Reddy, irrigation officials, and a large number of farmers.
Uttam Kumar Reddy set a June 30 deadline for completing repairs and related work on these lift schemes and instructed officials to hire staff on contract basis for operation and maintenance of these projects. Many such schemes have become infructuous because the previous government ignored them.
Where water was available, the Congress government will set up new small lift schemes to increase irrigation potential in the two constituencies, he said.
The minister also instructed officials to ensure no water bodies are encroached and where encroachments have occurred, to take action on those who indulged in such activities. The government will not tolerate encroachments.
District collector S. Venkata Rao said action plans have also been prepared to desilt tanks and ponds and committees have been set up for this purpose in all villages. However, any attempts to encroach on tank beds in the guise of such works, will face action as per law, he warned
