TDP MLC Bhumireddy Rama Gopal Reddy accused the previous YSRCP government of neglecting Rayalaseema irrigation projects and said the NDA government was focusing on irrigation, horticulture and industrial development.
Mangalagiri: TDP MLC Bhumireddy Rama Gopal Reddy questioned former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's claims on Rayalaseema development and alleged that several irrigation projects in the region were neglected or stalled during the previous YSRCP government.
Addressing the issue at the TDP Central Office in Mangalagiri, the MLC said the NDA alliance government was committed to strengthening irrigation infrastructure and supporting farmers across Rayalaseema.
Rama Gopal Reddy said the previous TDP government under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had sanctioned 102 projects for the comprehensive development of Rayalaseema, particularly in the irrigation sector.
He alleged that the subsequent YSRCP government stalled the region's development through G.O. Ms. No. 365 and questioned why the previous government had not completed several projects critical to farmers.
The TDP leader specifically referred to the Alaganur and Gorakallu reservoirs, alleging that they suffered damage during the previous government and that adequate funds were not allocated for repairs.
He said the present NDA government was focusing on modernising irrigation infrastructure and taking Krishna water through the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi system up to the last ayacut, including Kuppam.
According to him, around Rs. 10,000 crore had been spent during the first two years of the NDA government on irrigation projects and modernisation.
The TDP MLC also raised questions about the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS).
He alleged that the project was launched in 2020 with an estimated cost of Rs. 3,825 crore and claimed that works and bills worth nearly Rs. 950 crore were recorded within five months.
He questioned why the then government did not make sufficient efforts to secure the lifting of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) stay imposed on October 29, 2020.
Rama Gopal Reddy also referred to a three-member committee that inspected the project in July 2021 and said the committee had advised that works should not proceed without the required environmental and other clearances.
He questioned why the necessary documents were allegedly not uploaded on the PARIVESH portal for environmental clearance between July 2020 and 2024.
The MLC challenged YSRCP leaders from Rayalaseema to seek explanations from Jagan Mohan Reddy on the issue before undertaking political programmes in the region.
Rama Gopal Reddy also referred to G.O. Rt. No. 364 dated August 11, 2023, claiming that it stated the Rayalaseema Lift Scheme was intended to address drinking water requirements in Chennai as well as the Rayalaseema region.
He questioned the use of Andhra Pradesh taxpayers' money for a project that, according to his reading of the government order, included Chennai's water requirements.
He contrasted the project with the Telugu Ganga scheme implemented during the tenure of former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao, claiming that Tamil Nadu had contributed 50% of the estimated project cost for supplying 15 TMC of water to Chennai while the project's canal and reservoir network also benefited Rayalaseema.
The TDP MLC alleged that nearly Rs. 5,000 crore was spent on works connecting the Galeru Nagari and Handri-Neeva systems but claimed that the expenditure did not translate into a significant increase in irrigation in Pulivendula.
He further alleged that another Rs. 1,500-1,600 crore was spent on related works without creating additional ayacut.
Rama Gopal Reddy said the Kaleti Vagu reservoir in Pulivendula could be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 700-800 crore, but alleged that even the required 18-km canal had remained incomplete.
The TDP leader criticised the cancellation of the Vedavathi and Gundrevula projects in Kurnool district.
He said the projects, initiated during Chandrababu Naidu's tenure in 2018, were intended to develop western parts of Kurnool and could have helped reduce migration by improving irrigation.
He also raised the issue of the Rajoli reservoir, alleging that land had been acquired from thousands of farmers but compensation had not been fully paid and construction had not progressed as expected.
Rama Gopal Reddy also raised the issue of families displaced by the Gandikota project.
He said the Chandrababu government had provided Rs. 6.75 lakh to each affected family in 2015, while alleging that Jagan Mohan Reddy had promised Rs. 10 lakh per family before the 2019 elections but failed to fulfil the commitment.
He further claimed that micro-irrigation equipment was not adequately provided to horticulture farmers between 2019 and 2024.
The present government, he said, was supplying drip irrigation equipment with a 90% subsidy.
The TDP MLC said the NDA government was working towards transforming Rayalaseema into a major horticulture and industrial hub.
He highlighted plans involving marketing infrastructure, cold storage facilities, road connectivity, minor irrigation tank repairs, new irrigation projects and modern farming technologies.
He also referred to industrial investments including cement industries, the JSW steel plant at Jammalamadugu, defence and aerospace manufacturing units in Sri Sathya Sai district, electronics manufacturing at Kopparthy and drone industries at Orvakal Drone City.
According to Rama Gopal Reddy, improved national highway connectivity combined with irrigation development, horticulture and industrial investment would accelerate economic growth in Rayalaseema.
He warned YSRCP leaders against attempting to revive regional divisions and said the people of Rayalaseema would not repeatedly be influenced by what he described as political campaigns centred on the previous government's record.
The allegations regarding project expenditure, clearances, bills, irrigation benefits and the performance of the previous government are claims made by TDP MLC Bhumireddy Rama Gopal Reddy. The figures and allegations have not been independently verified in this report.
