Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao once again asserted that there was no going back on any of the irrigation projects even if vested interests put spokes in the works by approaching the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
“The Supreme Court’s refusal to grant stay on the construction of Sundilla Barrage is a slap on the face of those opposing any development,” Mr. Rao observed and said he thought that the “gang” trying to stall the projects would change (their mind) after the SC verdict but they had approached the NGT. Hence, there was a need for counter strategies to thwart their attempts.
At a meeting held in the CM’s Camp Office on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing irrigation projects of Kaleswaram, Palamuru, Sitarama and others, he wanted completion of all the pending projects in Palamuru district by Kharif season next year.
The Chief Minister observed that construction of Narlapur, Edula, Vattem, Karivena reservoirs (part of Palamuru project with the highest maximum capacity levels) would help to turn arid lands into fertile ones, put a stop to the migration of workers and give water to the farmers.
With fast track work on Kalwakurthy, Nettampad, Bhima projects, farmers were very happy that water was provided to 4.5 lakh acres this year. “There is a bumper crop and this trend has to be continued by completing all the projects and supplying water to the entire ayacut,” he said. Once work on Mallanna Sagar and Konda Pochamma reservoirs (part of Kaleswaram project) was completed, it would be possible to supply water through Mallanna Sagar to Nizamsagar and give drinking water to Hyderabad from Mallanna Sagar.
Mallanna Sagar
From Mallanna Sagar, water could be supplied to Gandhamalla and Basvapur reservoirs so as to enable filling up of tanks in Gajwel, Bhongir and Aler constituencies. Tanks within the jurisdiction of Pamulaparthy and Ranganayak Sagar reservoirs could also be filled by quicker construction of these reservoirs.
Completion of Sitarama project within a year would ensure farmers in Khammam get sufficient water while Singur water could be used efficiently by supplying water through gravity, he maintained. Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao, Special Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi, advisor Vivek, State Planning Commission Vice Chairman Niranjan Reddy, MLA Marri Janardhan Reddy, E-in- C Muralidhar and others participated.
GST exemption
Chief Minister K. Chandraekhar Rao on Tuesday said he would writing to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to exempt granite, irrigation and drinking water supply under the GST as it would have an adverse affect. He also expressed his dissatisfaction in having these items under the upcoming single tax structure across the country.
