BRS stages protest in Wanaparthy, seeks water release through KLI, Jurala to save Palamuru crops

The BRS, led by former Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy, staged a protest in Wanaparthy alleging that the Congress government had failed to utilise available water resources to protect crops in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district. The party demanded immediate release of water through the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme and Jurala project.

Mahabubnagar: Accusing the Congress government of allowing crops to wither despite water availability in the Krishna basin, the BRS led by former Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy staged a protest outside the Chief Engineer’s office in Wanaparthy on Wednesday.

They demanded the supply of water through the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLI) and the Jurala project to save farmers in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district.

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Along with former MLAs Ala Venkateshwar Reddy and Beeram Harshavardhan Reddy, Niranjan Reddy submitted a representation to Deputy Chief Engineer Venkat Reddy, seeking immediate release of water through the canals and the operation of KLI pumps.

Speaking on the occasion, Niranjan Reddy said about 50 TMCft of water was still available in Srisailam reservoir, while the Jurala project was receiving 1,100 cusecs through regeneration. He also pointed to water availability in Karnataka’s Almatti reservoir and demanded that the State government secure releases from the neighbouring State.

He urged the government to run KLI pumps continuously, supply water to farmers who had raised irrigated dry crops, and fill Yedula and Karivena reservoirs with five TMC through the Palamuru pumps. He said not even a drop of water had reached villages in Peddamandadi mandal.

Former MLA Harshavardhan Reddy blamed the government for the drought conditions, alleging that it failed to secure water from Karnataka despite its leaders visiting the State. He said tenant farmers were among the worst affected.

Former MLA Ala Venkateshwar Reddy also demanded immediate irrigation releases through KLI and Jurala, stating that crops were drying up and the government had failed to address farmers’ distress.