The former irrigation minister also challenged the Chief Minister to an open discussion on governance and irrigation
HYDERABAD: BRS leader and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao on Friday slammed Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for what he alleged were “misleading statements, distortions to cover up his government’s failures” with respect to the Palamuru Rangareddy lift irrigation scheme (PRLIS).
Harish Rao, in a statement said “instead of taking action against Andhra Pradesh’s blatant diversion of Krishna river waters, Revanth Reddy is busy levelling baseless allegations against the previous BRS government. Is this how a responsible Chief Minister acts?”
Harish Rao said “Revanth Reddy knows that if PRLIS is completed, people will recall KCR’s contributions. That’s why he is ensuring the work remains incomplete, even if it means hurting farmers.”
He also challenged the Chief Minister to an open discussion on governance and irrigation. “Let’s have a public debate on your six guarantees, the failed loan waivers, delayed Rythu Bandhu, DA arrears for employees. Name the time and place, I will be there, he said.
Harish Rao said, “For years, Congress and TD neglected this region, leaving it parched and forcing thousands to migrate. Now, a leader who was once a key figure in both parties, is shedding crocodile tears for Palamuru.”
He said the BRS government completed 90 per cent of PRLIS despite multiple legal hurdles, adding that irrigation coverage increased from 27,000 acres to 6.5 lakh acres under Kalwakurthy, Bheema, Nettempadu, and Koilsagar projects. “Full storage was ensured at Jurala by settling Karnataka’s submergence compensation. The Tummilla lift irrigation schene was completed, securing water for Rajolibanda ayacut. Mission Kakatiya revived tanks, stabilizsng another 2 lakh acres of irrigation. These aren’t just numbers, these are the lives of Telangana’s farmers. What has Revanth Reddy’s government done in comparison,” Harish Rao asked.
