Minister for Irrigation T. Harish Rao on Saturday suggested the Congress party leaders to stop hatching conspiracies against the irrigation projects being implemented in Telangana by going round courts and green tribunals and instead be with people to ensure them better benefits.
The peaceful public hearing on Kaleshwaram irrigation project conducted in 15 districts from August 22 and concluded on Saturday, except for the scenes created by Congress leaders, should act as an eye opener to the Opposition party, the minister observed and said farmers and all sections of people had extended their support to the project during the public hearing. In a statement issued here, he pointed out the untoward incidents that have taken place during the similar exercise for Polavaram project and the free and fair recording of people's opinion.
Reiterating that the State Government had taken up redesigning of irrigation projects and implementing Mission Bhageeratha drinking water project keeping the long-term interests of the people in mind, the minister said the public hearing had proved that they were in favour of the government decision to complete Kaleshwaram project.
The minister noted that people of different sections and farmers have expressed their views on the projects in Nalgonda, Sangareddy, Kamareddy, Peddapalli, Nirmal, Jagityal, Medak, Karimnagar, Yadadri, Medchal, Nizamabad, Mancherial, Bhupalapally, Siddipet and Sircilla districts. About 106 persons had got their opinion recorded at the public hearing conducted at Siddipet, the minister said stating how those depending on community-based professions and retired engineers had also stressed the need for Kaleshwaram project.
Representatives of political parties, social workers, non-governmental organisation, farmers bodies and others had participated in the public hearing and a total of over 1,000 people had expressed their views. Mr. Harish Rao asked the Opposition Congress to stop longing for cheap publicity in the matter of irrigation projects at least now.
