Harish Rao submits addl evidence to Ghose panel, counters Congress on Kaleshwaram
The documents relate to the Cabinet approval of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, as well as their endorsements in the Assembly, Harish said. He accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and state Irrigation Minister Uttam of spreading false information through PowerPoint presentations on water issues to blame the previous BRS government.
'We made sure to give the Commission as much clear information as possible. Since we are no longer in government, most of the original documents are with the current administration. I wrote letters to the Chief Secretary, GAD Secretary, and Irrigation Secretary requesting copies of Cabinet decisions, Cabinet notes, and other related records from those years. However, there has been no response from their side,' the BRS leader stated. He added that legislative approval, in fact, holds even greater weight than Cabinet approvals. 'The documents we shared include six Cabinet approvals and three Assembly endorsements along with all supporting details,' he added.
The former Minister clarified that the escalation in project costs occurred due to increased storage capacities, larger ayacut, higher pumping requirements, and land acquisition costs. Every revision was backed by technical assessments and Cabinet approvals.
Harish Rao alleged that the Congress betrayed Telangana by allowing a 299 TMC allocation from the Krishna River. 'Today, the same betrayal continues. Out of Telangana's 34 per cent water share, only 28 per cent was utilised last year. Approximately 65 TMC of Krishna water, which could have irrigated 6.5 lakh acres, was let go to Andhra Pradesh as 'Guru Dakshina' to Chandrababu Naidu. Why was so little water used? Is this not your failure?' he averred.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Narendra Modi says UK visit aimed at prosperity, job creation, growth
Before departing for the United Kingdom on Wednesday as part of his two-nation tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his visit to the UK is aimed towards prosperity, growth and job creation in both countries. The two countries are expected to formally sign the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during the visit, which is expected to double bilateral trade by 2030. 'During my meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, we will have the opportunity to further enhance our economic partnership, aimed at fostering prosperity, growth and job creation in both countries. I also look forward to calling on His Majesty King Charles III during the visit,' the Prime Minister said in his departure statement. Besides discussing the whole gamut of India-UK ties with his British counterpart, the PM will also take up issues of regional and global importance, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Gaza situation. The Cabinet had Tuesday approved the FTA between India and the UK, which will be signed in London on July 24. Besides the expected signing ceremony of FTA with the UK, which was concluded in May this year, New Delhi will also raise the issue of pro-Khalistan extremism and the fugitive economic offenders, officials said. 'India and the UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years. Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health and people-to-people ties,' Modi said. After the UK, the PM travels to Maldives to participate as a Guest of Honour at the country's 60th independence day celebrations. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Maldives. 'I look forward to my meetings with President Muizzu and other political leadership, to advance our joint vision of a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, and to strengthen our cooperation for peace, prosperity and stability in the Indian Ocean Region,' Modi said on his two-day Maldives visit, a first by any heads of government during Muizzu's presidency. 'I am confident that the visit will yield tangible outcomes, benefiting our people and advancing our Neighbourhood First Policy,' the PM said. The trip marks a reset of bilateral ties that had come under severe strain after Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, became president in November 2023.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Danger of thought: on the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill
The Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Bill, 2024 follows the disturbing pattern of executive overreach in the name of security. Existing laws are often misused against political opponents and critics of the ruling party, including commentators. Charges are often vague and sweeping, and the process itself becomes the punishment in many of these cases. Given this pattern, the move by Maharashtra's Mahayuti government led by the BJP to create an entire law to criminalise a certain kind of thought portends danger to freedom and democracy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the new law would only target those who try to undermine the constitutional order, but the possibility — indeed the probability — of its misuse is apparent. The State says that it is seeking to prevent Maoists from brainwashing youth, professionals, and civil servants through front organisations. As in the proposed law, which is now awaiting the assent of the Governor before coming into force, the State government can declare any suspect 'organisation' as an 'unlawful organisation'. Offences under the proposed law include membership of such organisations, fundraising on their behalf, managing or assisting them, and committing unlawful activities. The Bill's focus is on people and organisations that act as a front for Maoists, and what is unlawful is so broadly defined that anyone can be its target. Among other things, according to the Bill, 'unlawful' is 'any action taken by an individual or organization whether by committing an act or by words either spoken or written or by sign or by visible representation or otherwise, which constitute a danger or menace to public order, peace and tranquility'. Offences are cognisable and the accused can be arrested without a warrant. Punishment includes jail terms of two years to seven years, along with fines ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh. The State argues that Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have enacted Public Security Acts and banned 48 Naxal frontal organisations. The Opposition parties offered feeble resistance to the Bill and raised some broad concerns regarding its misuse but it was passed in the Assembly through a voice vote. As an afterthought, the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) protested on the floor when it was taken up in the Legislative Council. The Bill had gone through a long deliberative process, but as it turns out, all parties appeared to be in agreement, barring the lone CPI (M) MLA who protested against it on the floor of the Assembly. The idea that thought and speech, howsoever unpalatable they might be to the ruling establishment, should be policed poses a grave danger for India as an open society.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Bihar police lathi charge on protesting Jan Suraaj workers in Patna, many get injured
Police lathi charged on the protesting Jan Suraaj party workers who were on their way to gherao the ongoing Monsoon Session of Bihar Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday (July 23, 2025). In the scuffle between the police and party workers, many got seriously injured. Jan Suraaj party was protesting against the government in support of their demands including alleged corruption in land survey, Dalit families not getting three decimal of land and 94 lakh poor families not getting ₹2 lakh for employment despite government announcement. As planned, the party workers were not allowed to enter the road which was leading towards the Assembly building. They tried their best from 11 a.m. when the Assembly proceedings began but everywhere there was heavy deputation of the police force. Holding placards, banners and posters, the party workers gathered at Patel Chowk near Chitkohra Bridge. Even Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor also reached near the protest site. When the police tried to stop them, party workers including Mr. Kishore sat on a dharna on the road itself after a scuffle. The police tried hard to remove the workers and when they tried to break the police barricading and move towards the Assembly, the police responded through lathi charge to disperse the protestors. Many of the party workers received injuries. One party worker was hit on his head. One party worker was hit on both legs due to which he was unable to walk. Both were rushed to nearby hospitals. Pointing towards the police, Mr. Kishor said, 'Why did you lathi charge on my party workers? Did any of my party workers pelt stones on any police officer or magistrates, then why do you people lathi charge on them? Do you have the guts to use your lathi on me then I will show what I can do. I will make it difficult for the government to function even for a day.' When a police officer asked him to leave the place, Mr. Kishor further said, 'Don't show me this police tantrum, I have seen enough of this. For the last two months, we have trying to meet the Chief Minister over our demands but there is no response. We also tried to meet the Governor but ge also did not have time. So, we had no other options except going to Vidhan Sabha.' Later, a six member delegation led by Jan Suraaj State president Manoj Bharti met Bihar Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena to hand over the memorandum of the demands. Mr. Kishor threatened if the government does not take action on their demands then he will gheraoe the official residence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar by bringing one lakh people.
