Miryalguda: Telangana’s Irrigation and Food Minister, Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, on Monday reaffirmed the Congress government’s commitment to the welfare of every family, promising to prioritise housing, irrigation, and farmer support.
Speaking at the Indiramma Housing sanction event in Miryalguda, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government’s focus was on ensuring that every family has a secure home. “A home is more than just walls and a roof. It’s about dignity,” he told the gathering.
The event saw Telangana Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy, Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, and other senior leaders joining in to distribute housing benefits to beneficiaries.
Uttam Kumar Reddy credited the rapid rollout of the housing scheme to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s leadership. “We’re building 4.5 lakh houses across the state, each with 400 square feet, an RCC roof, kitchen, and toilet,” he said. “No one should be left behind.”
He didn’t mince words on irrigation, promising to finish pending projects in Miryalguda during the current term. “People have waited long enough,” he said, pledging quick action on every stalled project.
On the crucial Krishna River water issue, Uttam Kumar Reddy accused the previous BRS government of letting Telangana down. “Despite our vast catchment area, AP has been taking more than its fair share,” he said. He cited Krishna River Board data that showed AP consistently drawing over 64% of Krishna water between 2014 and 2021, leaving Telangana with less than 36%.
“In 2014-15 alone, AP took 529 TMC while we got just 227. By 2020-21, AP was taking 629 TMC and Telangana’s share had barely moved to 248,” he pointed out. “The BRS government failed to stand up for us.”
He also criticised AP’s unchecked expansion of the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator, which increased from 44,000 cusecs in 2005 to over 92,000 cusecs by 2023 allowing AP to divert even more water. Other projects like RLIS and Veligonda, he said, made matters worse for Telangana’s own irrigation schemes.
Uttam Kumar Reddy assured residents that work on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel would restart soon, promising 30 TMC of water for Nalgonda. “We’re not just making promises, we’re acting,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted the record paddy procurement this Yasangi season 72.42 lakh tonnes as of June 8, up from 59.77 lakh tonnes in 2023. He attributed the jump to expanding procurement centres from 7,000 to over 8,300, ensuring farmers got a fair deal.
He noted that ₹15,121 crore had been paid to 12.33 lakh farmers this season, compared to ₹5,932 crore paid to 9.81 lakh farmers under the BRS in 2023. “We’re putting money straight into farmers’ hands,” he said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also praised the Free Fine Rice Scheme, now providing 6 kg of rice each month to nearly 3.1 crore people about 84% of Telangana’s population at a cost of ₹13,000 crore a year.
Recalling his time as MP for Nalgonda, he said he had always stood by the people of Miryalguda. “Keep supporting the Congress government as we build a stronger, fairer Telangana,” he urged.
