Hyderabad: Minister for Tourism Jupally Krishna Rao criticised BRS MLA T. Harish Rao over Palamuru projects, accusing him of adopting double standards on irrigation works in the erstwhile district.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Congress Legislative Party office in the Assembly on Friday, Jupally Krishna Rao said the earlier BRS government initiated key decisions but now opposed the same projects. MLAs G. Madhusudan Reddy and Veerlapalli Shankar were present.
The minister said the previous government issued Government Orders for the Gollapalli Reservoir but later obstructed its progress for political reasons. He added that the same administration allocated ₹4,177 crore in 2016 for reservoirs with a capacity of 25 TMC.
He further said the BRS proposed 27 reservoirs, including Gollapalli, in March 2019. However, he argued that opposing the same project now misled people in Palamuru. Therefore, he described the shift in stand as inconsistent.
Jupally questions Harish Rao claims on Palamuru projects
Jupally Krishna Rao rejected claims that 80 percent of work on the Palamuru-Rangareddy project was complete. He said authorities had not finished canals, acquired land, or secured administrative approvals. He also questioned whether the project supplied water to even a single acre.
He alleged that the previous government switched on pumps before elections to create an impression of progress. However, he maintained that the effort did not translate into irrigation benefits on the ground.
The minister said the BRS government spent ₹7,000 crore on Palamuru projects over ten years. In contrast, he said Congress governments in the united state spent ₹8,300 crore on irrigation works in the region.
He also criticised Harish Rao’s remarks on farmers. Jupally Krishna Rao said the previous government displaced farmers for the 50 TMC Mallanna Sagar project. Therefore, he questioned Harish Rao’s position to speak on behalf of Palamuru farmers.
He further accused the earlier administration of using irrigation projects to benefit contractors. According to him, the projects did not prioritise public interest.
Jupally Krishna Rao also expressed confidence that the Congress would return to power in the state and at the Centre. He said Rahul Gandhi would become Prime Minister. He dismissed the BRS party’s expectations of regaining power.