Stoutly defending the tendering process for Pattiseema lift irrigation project, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has clarified that it was categorically stated in the tender document that the contractor would forego the amount quoted in excess of the Internal Bench Mark, if the project is not completed within a year.
After Irrigation Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao gave reply to the discussion on the project in the Assembly on Wednesday, Mr. Naidu gave detailed clarifications on various issues raised by Leader of Opposition Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy on Pattiseema and Polavaram projects.
The government’s overriding concern was to complete the project within a year and the excess 16.9 per cent over and above the five per cent premium allowed would not be released otherwise. The government also did not release mobilisation advance to the contractor, unlike the practice in the Congress government, Mr. Naidu said.
“The project is crucial as it will lift 80 tmcft of surplus Godavari water from Pattiseema to Krishna Basin and divert it through Srisailam to the parched Rayalaseema till Polavaram project is completed,” he said.
Seeking to put the facts before people through the House, Mr. Naidu said irrigation and drinking water had become a major concern post-bifurcation. Pattiseema project would not go against the interest of farmers of twin Godavari districts, but would meet drinking and irrigation water needs of Rayalaseema , he said.
Mr. Naidu said that Polavaram project was on the fast-track, citing the minutes of the Project Authority meeting held on March 16. The meeting resolved that the existing agency could complete the works and recommended that Rs.10,450 crore was needed to complete it by 2018-19. The authority also resolved to reimburse the expenditure incurred by the State on Polavaram.
Referring to the report in a Telugu daily which expressed doubts over the progress of Polavaram project , he said:
“One should not write irresponsibly. I will give PPA meeting details to you. Do study it and don’t politicise water issues which is very sensitive,” he quipped.
Pattiseema project will not go against the interest of ryots of twin Godavari districts, but will meet the drinking and irrigation water needs of Rayalaseema
N. Chandrababu Naidu,CM
