Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao has set a record by conducting a marathon 10 hour long brainstorming session with officials. He asked the officials concerned to be responsible and transparent in speedy completion of the projects.
Since Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is according top priority to irrigation sector is it our duty to complete projects to irrigate a total of 1.20 cr acres under irrigation Harish said. Harish criticized opposition parties for moving courts and green tribunal with false cases and obstructing the works of irrigation projects.
The legal wing of the department should make efforts to clear the cases Harish said. Continuous review meetings giving positive results and they have succeeded in geo tagging of 45222 lakes across the state using NRSA services and digitasation works of 55 medium and minor irrigation projects are going on he said. The minister asked the officials to prepare a report to be sent to the Centre to get World Bank funds under DRIP scheme by October. Quality control wing should get updated with latest technologies and coordinate with other officials in achieving their targets he said while discussing Audit, and CAG Reports on the irrigation projects.
He cited that 759 farmers of Andhol and Pulkal and other villages migrated to Hyderabad for livelihood had returned back as their lakes and water bodies have waters for agriculture works besides applying for ration cards afresh. Irrigation projects and lakes restoration together giving positive results to revive rural economy and empower the poor and farmers the minister said. The Minister expressed concern that land acquisition problems arise due to court cases and creating hurdles to complete Devadula, AMRP and Kalwakurty projects. Legal team should efficiently fight in the courts to clear the cases for the benefit of the people, he said. (NSS