Vemulaghat protest reaches 400th day

Mallannasagar tenders to be finalised by month-end, says Irrigation Minister

The protest by the villagers of Vemulaghat reached the 400th day on Sunday.

Vemualghat is the only village under the proposed Mallannasagar Reservoir which has been protesting against the Government orders and demanding implementation of Right to Fair Compensation in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act – 2013.

In the past the villagers used to hold the relay fast in a tent erected in front of the panchayat office. For more than one year the protest was held at that place where scores of protest meetings were held addressed by leaders of different political parties and different organisations. Recently they even constructed a permanent shed to provide shelter for the agitators.

However, there were no celebrations at the protest site as majority farmers are involved in farming activity.

“Majority farmers are busy in farming as there is a good rainfall in time. This is the time for farmers to work and invest in the farm sector to get good returns at the end of harvesting season. We do not want to disturb them and hence there are no celebrations. But, the early rains and hope for good yield from our farms reinforced our commitment to protect our farms from the Government and not to sell them come what may. We will continue out fight till we win,” said Santosh, a farmer of the village.

Minister’s review

Irrigation Minister T. Hairsh Rao said the tendering process for Mallannasagar Reservoir will be completed in another 15 days. Presiding over a review meeting held with officials here on Sunday, Mr. Harish Rao said that construction of by-pass canals would also be taken up along with reservoir work to avoid any delay.

“Godavari water will be extended for irrigation under Mallannasagar, Kondapochamma and Gandhamall reservoirs in Nalgonda district.

Work on Ranganaik Sagar will be completed in another nine months and irrigation will be provided for one lakh acres in Dubbak, Siddipet and Gajwel constituencies,” he said adding that 79 km out of total 82 km tunnel work from Ellampally to Mallannasagar has already been completed and five pump motors were installed. He said that the pump stations would be ready before December-end.

Urging the local public representatives to cooperate with digging of canals, Mr. Harish Rao entrusted the responsibility of Mallannasagar canals under Dubbak constituency to MLA S. Ramalinga Reddy.

While directing the officials to complete the work on Ranganaik Sagar before June 2018, the Minister instructed Joint Collector Padmakar to complete land acquisition at the earliest.