Telangana state CM K Chandrasekhar Rao has decided to check the irrigation sector which was completely ridden with corruption and irregularities due to faulty and unwise decisions of previous governments.
He further directed officials to do a re-survey of all projects including the Pranahita-Chevella, which, he felt, needed slight modifications. KCR, who held a review meeting with Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, government advisor R Vidyasagar Rao, Principal Secretary B Aravinda Reddy and other senior officials of the department on Friday, said he would undertake tour of districts from July 17 onwards to personally inspect project sites and catchment areas.
He said he would check whether project surveys done earlier were benefitting farmers or only contractors.
He added most of the projects undertaken under Jalayagnam programme in the undivided state proved beneficial only to contractors with farmers get minimal benefits. KCR laid emphasis on setting right such anomalies in Telangana State to ensure that not a single penny of public money goes waste.
He said that some projects completed already or proposed earlier by previous governments were meant only to help Andhra region. He cited the example of Dummugudem project. What was the logic to construct a lift irrigation project on Godavari river to supply irrigation water to farmers who were under Nagarjunasagar Tail Pond area, he questioned.
KCR further directed officials to focus on Jurala-Pakala and Palamuru Lift Irrigation projects and complete survey in three to four months. He felt that irrigation needs of a majority region in Telangana would be met with these two projects and hinted at allocation of funds to these projects in this year budget itself so that works could commence early.
The Chief Minister also discussed inter-state projects with officials. He told officials to engage in discussions with neighbouring States so that rightful share of Krishna and Godavari rivers to Telangana State could be utilised properly.
