The desiltation and restoration of tanks under the Mission Kakatiya would begin from January first week and the irrigation officials should complete tender process by then, said Irrigation minister T Harish Rao.
Addressing the officials and public representatives at an awareness meeting on Mission Kakatiya held at Kakatiya Medical College campus here on Tuesday, the minister said the state government would be taking up restoration of 9,000 tanks across the Telangana state this year.
The work would be complete by May end and the tanks would be ready by first showers of monsoon, he said. According to him, the Union minister Ms Uma Bharati may launch the programme along with chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao in January.
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Explaining the intentions of the government in reviving age old tanks in all villages, the minister urged local politicians and people to cut across the party lines and take part in the holy task.
“This is noble mission and government alone cannot complete the task. All people should cooperate. Launch of work at village tank should be held like a common festival,” he said.
Mr Harish Rao said government has earmarked Rs 2,000 crore this year and plans to spend Rs 20,000 in the next five years on reviving the tanks in villages in state. The irrigation department has made elaborate exercise besides strengthening its cadre, decentralizing decision making, simplifying procedures and bringing in transparency.
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“I request every engineer to act responsibly and work whole heartedly in this mission,” he said. Deputy chief minister T Rajaiah, MPs K Srihari and A Sitaram Naik, MLAs – A Ramesh, D S Redya Naik, K Surekha, B Shankar Naik, A Chandulal, Ch Dharma Reddy, ZP chairperson G Padma, district collectr G Kishan and other officials were present.
The MLAs too shared their views on the mission Kakatiya to which the minister responded positively.