HYDERABAD

Deputy Floor Leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in the Assembly T. Harish Rao alleged that the Congress Government had failed in ensuring uninterrupted power supply, available water for irrigation to the agriculture sector, and drinking water to people.

He along with party leaders of Alair constituency in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district made a surprise visit to the Solepet substation in Bommalaramaram mandal, examined the records (log book) on supply of power to the farm sector.

Mr. Rao quoted the substation operator as telling him that farmers were earlier given 14 to 15 hours of power supply , but fresh instructions from the government limited agricultural power supply to only 12 hours a day.

He alleged that even during the 12 hours, power supply was frequently interrupted due to repeated tripping. Mr. Harish Rao questioned Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka’s recent statement that there were no power cuts in the State. “If there are no power cuts, why do the official records at Solepet substation show only 12 hours of agricultural supply?”, he asked.

He alleged that the government’s failure to maintain adequate coal stocks had resulted in two units with a combined capacity of 1,600 MW at the Yadadri Thermal Power Station and another 270 MW unit at the Bhadradri Thermal Power Plant shut for long. Despite Telangana having access to Singareni coal, why 1,870 MW of thermal power generation facility was kept idle, he sought to know.

Mr. Rao recalled how Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had earlier stated that farmers required only three hours of power supply and questioned whether the government was now attempting to implement the CM’s word.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Thursday said that the State government was committed to maximising the utilisation of Godavari waters through gravity and lift irrigation projects, while preparing to meet the challenges posed by climate change.

He was speaking to the media after inspecting the off-take point and pumphouse of the Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project (SRLIP) at Ammagaripalli in Bhadradri Kothagudem district along with Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Thursday.

The Deputy CM said the government had drawn up a comprehensive plan for the optimum utilisation of  Godavari waters.

Recalling a recent review of the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme, Mr. Vikramarka said all pumps at the Sammakka Barrage backwaters were operated at full capacity to fill 22 reservoirs spread across nearly 12 districts and 17 Assembly constituencies.

Directing the officials to expedite the SRLIP works, he said the government was determined to complete the project at the earliest and ensure irrigation water reached the tail-end ayacut.

He recalled that the Rajiv Sagar (Dummugudem) and the Indira Sagar Lift Irrigation Projects were conceived during the tenure of former Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh late Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy to irrigate four lakh acres at an estimated cost of ₹3,505 crore. Nearly ₹2,000 had already been spent before the State’s bifurcation, he said.

Alleging that the previous BRS government redesigned the projects despite only about ₹1,505 crore being required to complete them, he claimed the project cost escalated to nearly ₹24,000 crore with the addition of the Seethamma Sagar Barrage.

He accused the previous BRS rulers of ‘looting’ thousands of crores of public funds in the name of ‘project redesign’.

The Deputy CM said the Congress government reviewed the project after assuming office and decided to complete, considering  the substantial public investment already made.

He said missing distributary canals and reservoir capacity issues were being addressed. The Rajiv Canal was being linked with the Sagar Canal, while link canals and tunnels were being built to fill the Wyra and Palair reservoirs. Works were also being accelerated to extend irrigation up to Sathupalli.

A month-wide action plan had been prepared and regular reviews were being conducted to ensure timely completion of the SRLIP works, he said, adding that funds would be released promptly for land acquisition, wherever required for irrigation project works.

Later, Mr. Vikramarka, along with the two Ministers, inspected the tunnel-point of the SRLIP at Yatalakunta in Sathupalli mandal and reviewed the progress of the works on the spot.

Bonakal mandal in Khammam district and Kodangal mandal in Vikarabad district are being developed as fully solarised mandals under a pilot project in pursuit of clean energy goals, said Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.

The State government is providing a fillip to renewable energy sector by implementing a slew of initiatives to herald solar revolution and transform Telangana into a Green Energy Hub, Mr Vikramarka told reporters in Garlapadu village of Bonakal mandal in Khammam district on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the Deputy CM inaugurated rooftop solar power systems installed under the Model Solar Village initiative at Chinnabeeravalli village. He also launched solar-powered pump sets installed in farmers’ agricultural fields at Garlapadu.

Mr. Vikramarka said, “These solar power systems would not only provide water for irrigation but also generate surplus electricity that can offer additional income to farmers.”

Outlining various other clean energy initiatives, he said the government has identified around 81 villages as Model Solar Villages and development works are progressing at a brisk pace in these villages.

He noted that solar power plants were established under the aegis of the women self-help groups in Venkatapuram village of Errupalem mandal. The government aims to provide two 1,000 MW solar power projects to Indira Mahila Shakti groups in every district across the State.

He appreciated the special solar sheds designed by the TGREDCO, saying they not only generate electricity in agricultural fields but also serve as rest shelters and storage sheds for farmers.

Citing the significant rise in electricity consumption in the State, he said the government strengthened the transmission system, installed new transformers and increased power generation capacity to meet rising electricity demand. These timely measures helped deliver quality electricity to people without disruption.

On the havoc caused by unseasonal rains, he said the government would procure the wet paddy at MSP to ensure that farmers do not face hardships.

He accused the Centre of neglecting its responsibilities while the State government is procuring every grain produced by farmers. Despite repeated appeals by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy to lift the grain procured by the State government, the Centre remained indifferent, he alleged.

He critcised BRS leader T Harish Rao of spreading false narratives against the Congress government out of frustration of losing power.