Hyderabad: Former minister and BRS MLA G. Jagadish Reddy on Tuesday accused the Congress government of failing to ensure Telangana irrigation water for farmers. He alleged that ministers were avoiding questions over water supply while blaming El Niño for the state’s problems.
Speaking to reporters, Reddy claimed the government was using El Niño as an excuse for its failures. He cited issues involving power, water, welfare schemes and promises made by the Congress. “The demon troubling Telangana is not El Niño but the Congress,” Reddy alleged.
The BRS MLA claimed the Godavari and Krishna rivers continued to carry substantial water despite the impact of El Niño. However, he alleged that water was flowing to Andhra Pradesh while Telangana farmers were being denied irrigation supplies.
Telangana irrigation water row over Kaleshwaram, Sagar
Reddy accused the state government of withholding Telangana irrigation water available through the Kaleshwaram project. He claimed the situation had adversely affected farmers in Suryapet, Tungaturthi, Kodad, Alair and Bhongir.
He also criticised the government over irrigation supplies through the Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal. In addition, he raised concerns over the SLBC and Low-Level Canal. According to Reddy, farmers remained uncertain about receiving irrigation water even after water reached the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir.
The BRS leader also targeted Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy over the issue. He alleged that both leaders had failed to respond to evidence presented by the BRS concerning water flows to Andhra Pradesh.
Reddy further accused the Congress government of deliberately allowing crops to fail in Telangana. He maintained that water availability, rather than El Niño, should determine irrigation supplies to farmers.
The MLA said the Congress government had blamed El Niño while facing questions about power, irrigation, welfare programmes and unfulfilled promises.