Hyderabad: Revenue and Housing Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy on Thursday accused the previous BRS government of neglecting the Sitarama project and several irrigation schemes in the erstwhile Khammam district.
The Minister visited the project along with Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy. He later addressed the media.
Sitarama project works accelerated under Congress, says Ponguleti
Ponguleti alleged that the previous government ignored the project because the people of the region did not support the BRS in the Assembly elections. He claimed the project was a lifeline for the tribal-dominated districts of Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem.
Further, he said the present condition of the project was distressing. He also accused BRS leaders of spreading falsehoods instead of functioning as a responsible opposition.
Meanwhile, the Minister said the Congress government would not abandon any project started by the previous regime. Instead, it was rectifying mistakes and working to complete the Sitarama project and restore the Kaleshwaram project.
He said the irrigation sector was witnessing phased development under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, similar to the progress made during the tenure of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.
Additionally, Ponguleti alleged that the previous government spent only ₹115 crore on the project before leaving it incomplete. He said the present government had allocated funds and released 1,480 cusecs of water to meet the drinking water needs of Khammam, Wyra and Sathupalli.
The Minister said the project was currently providing irrigation to about 1.25 lakh acres. Finally, he said the government was prepared to release additional water whenever necessary under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.