KT Rama Rao sets 48-hour deadline for release of irrigation water in Sircilla

Vows to stage a sit-in protest in front of the Irrigation Minister’s chamber if the government fails to release water

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao has set a 48-hour deadline for the Congress government to release irrigation water to farmers in his Sircilla constituency. He vows to stage a sit-in protest in front of the Irrigation Minister’s chamber, if the government fails to release water.

Inspecting dried farm fields in his Sircilla constituency on Sunday, Rama Rao met distressed farmers in Devunigutta thanda, where he witnessed dried crop fields and heard their grievances. He charged the government with deliberately withholding irrigation water out of political vengeance against former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. He stated that the cracks in the Medigadda barrage were being used as an excuse to deny water to Telangana’s farmers.

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“When Chandrashekhar Rao was the Chief Minister, even in peak summer, we ensured water in every water body. This is not a natural drought, but one created by Congress,” he lashed out, blaming the Revanth Reddy government for pushing agriculture into crisis in Sircilla, Tungaturthi, Suryapet and Kodad, among other areas in the State.

Declaring that he would not remain silent, the BRS working president issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government. “If irrigation water is not released within two days, we will stage a dharna in front of the Minister’s Chamber,” he warned.

He pointed out that Mid Manair currently holds 16 TMC of water, out of which releasing just 1 TMC to the Malkapet reservoir would be sufficient for farming needs. “We would need another 3 TMC for drinking water. This government simply lacks the will to help farmers,” he remarked.
Rama Rao lashed out at Revanth Reddy for harassing Telangana farmers.

“If you have a problem with Chandrashekhar Rao, fight him politically. Why punish farmers? You have already pushed 450 farmers to suicide and did not fulfil a single promise from your Farmers’ Declaration,” he charged. He vowed to escalate protests in support of farmers and even launch a fight for justice if the Congress government fails to act.