KCR calls for another water war, to lead people’s movement against neglect of irrigation projects

BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao has called for a statewide “water war” against the Congress government, accusing it of neglecting irrigation and drinking water projects. He directed BRS legislators to raise water, unemployment, education and governance issues during the Assembly session

Hyderabad: BRS chief and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday called for another “water war” against the Congress government for deliberately neglecting irrigation and drinking water projects and depriving people of water despite its availability in major reservoirs. He will soon lead a State-wide mass movement involving lakhs of people, including farmers and party workers, if the government’s negligence continues.

He said the BRS would discuss the proposed irrigation campaign with senior and district leaders and finalise the action plan soon. He also directed legislators to press the government on irrigation issues and, if necessary, stall both Houses over the matter. “We gave three years to the Congress government, but it failed to implement electoral promises even after 1,000 days. We should not tolerate it anymore,” he asserted.

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Addressing a joint meeting of BRS Legislature Party members at his Erravelli residence ahead of the Assembly session beginning Monday, Chandrashekhar Rao pointed out that the National Dam Safety Authority’s (NDSA) statement that the Kaleshwaram project could be used, had exposed the Congress government’s propaganda and conspiracy to discredit the project. He said minor repairs at Medigadda barrage could enable the Kaleshwaram project to resume operations and benefit farmers in nearly 13 districts.

He questioned the government’s delay in operating the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, which he said was 90 per cent complete during the previous BRS regime. He asked why Krishna River waters were not being lifted to provide irrigation and drinking water to the people of Nalgonda, Palamuru and Rangareddy.

The BRS chief also questioned the delayed and partial release of water to Telangana farmers from Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam despite water being available in the projects. He accused the Congress government of facilitating the neighbouring State’s use of the water. He reminded that the Telangana movement itself was fought to ensure water for people of the State, but the Congress government neglected it. “Such negligence in safeguarding our water rights should not be tolerated,” he asserted.

Chandrashekhar Rao directed BRS legislators to put the government on the defensive during the Assembly session on its failure to fulfil guarantees and promises made before the elections. He asked them to raise issues including pending fee reimbursement, GO 97 affecting polytechnic education, unemployment and pending job calendar.

He also directed party members to raise the inclusion of patta lands in the 22A prohibited list, alleged irregularities in the Future City initiative, corruption in Singareni Collieries Company Limited, government land auctions, the handling of the Hyderabad Metro Rail takeover and the proposed Godavari-Cauvery river-link project.

On drinking water, the Opposition leader accused the government of weakening the Mission Bhagiratha system amid drought conditions. He also criticised the Congress government’s negligence of government schools and residential schools, and called for discussion on deaths of students and girls in these institutions.

He asked BRS legislators to raise alleged deterioration in law and order, crimes against women, corruption, electricity policies, retirement benefits to retired employees and the delay in implementing the Pay Revision Commission. He observed that, mired in nepotism and favouritism, the Congress leaders corrupted the State goveranance, making it inefficient to serve people.

Chandrashekhar Rao said the Assembly should be used as a platform to question the government’s performance rather than for personal attacks on opposition members. He expressed satisfaction over the BRS’s protests marking 1,000 days of Congress rule and appreciated the party working president KT Rama Rao, senior leaders and district-level workers for their efforts.