Harish Rao demands 15 days of Jurala water for crops
The BRS leader accused the Congress government of causing an agrarian crisis in Palamuru by failing to utilise Krishna River water.
BRS Legislature Party Deputy Floor Leader T Harish Rao on Monday requested the Congress government to provide water from the Jurala project for an additional 15 days to protect standing crops. Speaking at a public meeting in Alwala village, Wanaparthy district, Rao also called for the continuous operation of all five motors in the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Project.
According to Telangana Today, Rao inspected withered paddy fields and stated that approximately 250 acres had dried up in the village alone. He alleged that the government failed to use available Krishna River water, noting that the Srisailam project received 221 TMCft and the Jurala project received about 252 TMCft.
The former Irrigation Minister claimed that water utilisation from the Krishna River basin dropped from 34-41 per cent during the BRS administration to 25 per cent under the current Congress government. He further alleged that the Kalwakurthy project lifted only 18 TMCft this season, despite having the capacity to lift 50 TMCft.
Rao demanded compensation for crop losses across 25 lakh acres due to drought. He also sought the immediate release of Rythu Bharosa assistance for the Yasangi season, increased employment guarantee workdays, and the promised Rs 12,000 under the Indiramma Atmiya Bharosa scheme for eligible labourers.
The leader urged the government to finish the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme to fill the Karivena and Vattem reservoirs. He also called on the Centre to send a team to Telangana to assess the drought and provide assistance to affected farmers.