Telangana Retired Engineers Association objects to Revanth Reddy’s remarks

The Telangana Retired Engineers Association criticised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's remarks against retired engineers, asserting that it is apolitical. The association defended its technical recommendations on lifting water from the Kannepally pump house and urged the government to approach the NDSA jointly

Hyderabad: A day after Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy launched targeted criticism against retired engineers, the Telangana Retired Engineers Association (TREA) took serious objection to his remarks, asserting that the association was not aligned with any political party.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, the Chief Minister accused a few retired engineers of colluding with the previous BRS government. “We made a mistake by not putting a few retired engineers in jail. They partnered with the previous government in the loot and needed belt treatment for making foolish suggestions,” Revanth Reddy had said, specifically referring to retired engineer M Shyam Prasad Reddy.

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Responding to the remarks, TREA president M Shyam Prasad Reddy said that until four days earlier, the Chief Minister had cited the association’s report to argue that the previous BRS government had gone ahead with the construction of the Medigadda barrage despite its recommendations.

He said the Chief Minister changed his stand after the TREA suggested that water could be lifted from the Kannepally pump house by following specific procedures. Shyam Prasad Reddy made these remarks while speaking to a vernacular news channel on Sunday.

Recalling the previous BRS government’s approach, he said former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao never made such allegations against retired engineers. He noted that newspapers had earlier carried reports on the association’s recommendations opposing the proposal to draw water through pipelines.

“Despite our adverse recommendations, K Chandrashekhar Rao never uttered a word against us or branded us as Congress leaders. Instead, he directed officials to examine our recommendations,” Shyam Prasad Reddy recalled.

He described Revanth Reddy’s remarks as unfortunate and reiterated that the TREA was not affiliated with any political party. The association had only offered technical suggestions and had never dictated terms to the government, he said.

“After serving the government sincerely for decades, it is painful and unbearable to hear the Chief Minister say we should be sent to Cherlapally jail. We leave it to his wisdom,” Shyam Prasad Reddy said.

He said Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy had also spoken to the association over the phone. During the conversation, the TREA reiterated its willingness to extend voluntary services to help address the current challenges.

The association also urged the State government and all political parties to jointly approach the NDSA, explain the prevailing drought conditions and ensure that water was lifted without causing further damage to the structures.

Shyam Prasad Reddy said substantial quantities of water were already flowing downstream from Medigadda and that the opportunity to lift it should not be missed.