Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao is all set to press the Centre to sort out disputes of water projects and take a decision on temporary release of waters under various irrigation projects in Telangana State. Harish will be meeting Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharathi in Delhi on November 3 and inform her about first phase of Mission Kakatiya – a flagship program to restore lakes and give waters to crops in rural pockets.
Harish Rao will also apprise the Union minister of the proposed projects across Godavari and others at various levels. Though the meeting was scheduled to held last week, it did not take place as Uma Bharathi was not available in Delhi.
Harish Rao would ask Uma Bharathi, being the chairperson of Apex body of Godavari and Krishna River Waters, to settle the dispute among the two States. Besides informing her on the design change of the projects, Harish Rao would seek funds for the projects and Mission Kakatiya. The Centre has to settle the issues being cropped up time and again among the two Telugu States. Since the Krishna water issue is under her purview, Harish is expecting a temporary solution from the Centre until the court delivers its verdict. He will also meet Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh and Textiles Minister Santhosh Gangwar and seek their assistance for setting up crops and cotton purchase centers in Telangana. (NSS)