Harish Rao demands white paper on water stocks, drought relief funds

BRS leader T Harish Rao has demanded that the Telangana government release a white paper detailing water availability, reservoir-wise stocks and drought mitigation measures amid worsening drought conditions in the state. He also accused the Congress government of failing to act despite advance warnings about the El Nino impact.

Hyderabad: BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao on Friday challenged the Congress government to come clean on Telangana’s worsening drought situation, demanding a white paper on reservoir-wise water stocks, drinking and irrigation water availability, and funds earmarked for drought mitigation. He accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of failing to act despite six months of advance warning about the El Nino threat.

He sought a time-bound action plan to protect farmers and rural livelihoods. He suggested that the government prioritise water for households and farms, fodder for livestock and employment for rural workers, rather than engage in political blame games.

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Reacting to the Chief Minister’s remarks on the impending drought, Harish Rao said the Congress government was offering excuses instead of assuring farmers and the public of relief. He termed the Cabinet sub-committee formed to address the crisis a belated response, arguing that preventive measures should have preceded the deterioration in conditions on the ground.

“If the government knew about El Nino six months ago, what preventive measures did it take to minimise the current crisis rather than merely alerting people?” he asked, questioning why water had not been lifted from the Godavari and Krishna Rivers to improve reservoir storage.

The BRSLP deputy leader stated that the drought conditions in the State were indicative of administrative failure rather than merely a natural calamity. He demanded clarity on the government’s plans to ensure drinking and irrigation water, uninterrupted power supply, alternative crops, fodder and rural employment.

Harish Rao also questioned the government’s preparedness for possible power shortages. “Instead of giving relief, Revanth Reddy is trying to scare people. Instead of providing hope, he is admitting his helplessness rather than coming up with a contingency plan,” he remarked. He said it was ironic that while rice prices had risen due to a shortage, the Chief Minister was taking credit for it.

He pointed out that electricity cuts were affecting farmers, forcing them to rely on water tankers to save their crops. He said claims of higher power consumption should be weighed against the difficulties faced by agricultural consumers.

Comparing Telangana with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, the former Minister questioned the differing water situations in the two States, given that El Nino was a global phenomenon. He demanded compensation for affected farmers and the immediate implementation of farmer and crop insurance schemes.

Recalling BRS chief and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s tenure, Harish Rao said the previous BRS government had taken advance measures to conserve water and prevent power cuts. He accused Revanth Reddy of diverting attention from governance issues through personal attacks on the opposition.