The Left parties in the State came together on Wednesday to condemn land acquisition for Mallannasagar reservoir as part of the proposed Kaleshwaram irrigation project on Godavari river, and announced that they would soon chalk out a joint action plan to counter this.
Addressing the media after a meeting, leaders from CPI(M), CPI, MCPI(U), SUCI, CPI(ML)-New Democracy, and RSP demanded that the decision for constructing Mallannasagar reservoir be revoked forthwith, and expert opinion be called for on the project.
CPI(M) State secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram pointed out that even detailed project report (DPR) was not ready for the Kaleshwaram project as yet. The DPR, once prepared, has to be approved by the Central Water Commission, only then the project would become a reality, he said, and questioned why the government was in a haste in acquiring the lands of farmers even before any of these procedural formalities were fulfilled.
Citing the opinion of retired engineer-in-chief and irrigation expert T. Hanumantha Rao, Mr. Veerabhadram said a reservoir of this capacity would not be needed for storage of water for use when the flows are less.
He also sought a discussion on all the projects in Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Ranga Reddy and Medak districts where four to five lakh acres of land is scheduled to be acquired for irrigation projects and industries.
“Information should be made public about the benefits and costs of each of the project, and how many jobs would be created by each,” he said.
Pasya Padma, representing CPI, said the Jawaharlal Nehru Lift Irrigation scheme in Haryana was constructed on the lines of the model proposed by Mr. Hanumantha Rao, and the Minister for Irrigation T. Harish Rao may visit the project. Even after the Lokayukta asked the government to adhere to the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, the latter was adamant on having its way, she criticised.
Lokayukta has on June 29, issued orders to the Telangana State government to invoke the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, if it intended to acquire land for projects.
The detailed project report has to be approved by the Central Water Commission, only then the project will become a reality
– Tammineni Veerabhadram
CPI(M) State secretary
