Former MP Vinod Kumar slams Revanth Reddy government over farmers’ plight

He said the government left farmers in distress by asking them to reduce the cultivation area, citing possible water shortage under Sri Ram Sagar Project Phase-1 and Phase -2

Hyderabad: Former MP B Vinod Kumar criticised the Revanth Reddy government for its mismanagement of the Medigadda barrage under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS), which in turn is posing a threat of water shortage for Yasangi (Rabi) crop season.

He said the government left farmers in distress by asking them to reduce the cultivation area, citing possible water shortage under Sri Ram Sagar Project Phase-1 and Phase-2.

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Vinod Kumar raised concern that despite thousands of TMCs of water flowing downstream, no action has been taken to ensure irrigation water for farmers. He found fault with the State government for not taking up repairs of Medigadda barrage to lift adequate water and secure the Yasangi crop. “It is a complete failure of the administration,” he said.

He refuted claims that the State government needed permission from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) for repairs to the barrage. He stated that the Dam Safety Act does mandate the States to seek the NDSA approval for project maintenance which is within the State’s jurisdiction.

The former BRS MP charged the Congress government with spreading false propaganda about the Medigadda barrage’s safety, pointing out that even after the recent earthquake of 5.3 magnitude, the structure remained unaffected.

He called the Congress’s narrative an attempt to defame former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and the landmark Kaleshwaram project.

“Minor issues are inevitable in large irrigation projects. Instead of addressing them, the government is neglecting its responsibility, leaving farmers helpless during a crucial agricultural season,” he remarked, urging immediate action.