BRS working president KT Rama Rao gave the Telangana Congress government a deadline of September 14 to release water from the Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal. He warned that if the demand is not met, he will march along with thousands of farmers from Kodad to Halya.
Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) has given time till September 14 to the Congress government of Telangana on the issue of releasing water from Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal. He warned that if the government did not announce the water release schedule within the stipulated time frame, he would take out a padayatra from Kodad to Halya along with thousands of farmers. KTR made this announcement while addressing the farmers' protest in Miryalaguda on Thursday. Citing the water available in the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir and the water flow in the Krishna river basin, he demanded the state government to provide water to the farmers through the Left Canal.
Demand to declare water release schedule by 14th September
KT Rama Rao asked the Congress government to declare a clear schedule of water release for Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal. He has set a deadline of September 14 for this.
KTR said that if the government does not take any clear decision in this period, BRS will carry forward the agitation with the farmers. He said he would march from Kodad to Halya along with thousands of farmers.
He initiated this proposed march with the help of his father and BRS President. Linked to the Kodad-Halya Padayatra undertaken by Chandrashekhar Rao in 2003. This march was carried out to raise the demands of farmers during the Telangana movement.
Nagarjuna Sagar claims to have about 180 TMCft of water
In the farmers' protest, KTR claimed that about 180 TMCft of water is present in Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir. According to him, despite this the state government is not releasing water to the farmers through the Left Canal.
He questioned the government's stance regarding water availability. Referring to the situation in Krishna Basin, KTR said that the water level in Srisailam is about 537 feet and water is reaching Nagarjuna Sagar through hydel power generation.
His argument was that the available water could be used for irrigation and this could make irrigation of two crops possible.
Accused of giving water to Andhra Pradesh
KTR accused the Revanth Reddy government of Telangana of releasing water towards Andhra Pradesh, while not providing water to the farmers of the Left Canal area of Telangana.
He questioned Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in this matter and asked whether Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. The interests of Telangana farmers are being ignored for any political commitment to Chandrababu Naidu or to repay the loan.
This allegation is part of KTR's political statement. He targeted Congress over the government's water policy and irrigation system for farmers.
Attack on Congress on election promises
KTR also raised the issue of the election promises of the Congress government, which according to him have not been fulfilled yet. He mentioned loan waiver of Rs 2 lakh and payment of Rs 15,000 per acre under Rythu Bharosa.
Apart from this, he also mentioned the promise of providing annual assistance to landless agricultural laborers and a bonus of Rs 500 per quintal on paddy and cotton.
According to KTR, these commitments are still pending. He said that the government should take action as per its promises on many major issues related to farmers.
Raised the issue of Rythu Bandhu and urea supply
The BRS leader also attacked the Congress government over Rythu Bandhu payment. He claimed that Rythu Bandhu payments have been stopped for three seasons.
Along with this, he also raised the issue of insufficient supply of urea in the state. KTR said that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure availability of fertilizers required for agricultural purposes to the farmers.
He raised questions on the functioning of the state government on issues related to irrigation and agriculture and also targeted the role of the concerned ministers.
Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy also targeted
KTR also targeted Telangana ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkata Reddy over the irrigation issue. He accused both of them of not taking expected action on this issue.
He said that the issue of releasing water from Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal is important for the farmers and the government should take a clear stand on it.
The issue will be raised in the assembly session from September 7
KTR said BRS will raise the issue in the assembly session starting from September 7. He clarified that the party will raise the water demand of farmers prominently even within the Assembly.
According to him, the government should give a clear answer during the assembly session regarding the release of water for Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal.
He said that if there is no clarity regarding release of water till Vinayak Chaturthi, then the proposed padyatra will be taken forward.
If there is no decision till Vinayak Chaturthi then agitation
KTR has linked his timeline with Vinayak Chaturthi. He said that if a clear decision is not taken by the government regarding release of water till the festival, then he will go on a padayatra with the farmers.
Proposed in March 2003. Linking it to the Kodad-Halya Padayatra undertaken by Chandrashekhar Rao, KTR called it the next phase of the agitation for the demands of farmers.
Thus, the issue of releasing water from Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal has become another center of political conflict between the government and the opposition in Telangana.
At present, KTR has given the government a deadline of September 14 to announce the water release programme. BRS is preparing to raise the issue in the assembly session and has threatened to march with thousands of farmers if clarity is not received within the deadline.