CM dares KCR for a debate on river water issues in assembly

The Hindu

24-06-2025

Upping the ante against the Bharat Rashtra Samithi president K. Chandrasekhar Rao for allegedly mortgaging the interests of Telangana to Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has challenged the Opposition leader for a debate in the legislative assembly on Polavaram- Banakacherla on Godavari proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government.
The BRS president can chose the time and date of his choice and the government is prepared to convene a special session to exclusively discuss about the State's share of water in Godavari and Krishna rivers and the way the interests of farmers are mortgaged by the previous regime. 'I will come with proofs to nail who is the traitor of Telangana. Is Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao ready?' the Chief Minister said.
Mr. Revanth Reddy utilised the celebrations organised to mark completion of crediting of over ₹9,000 crore into the accounts of 70 lakh farmers under Rythu Bandhu to launch a tirade against the BRS. The BRS leaders were trying to cast aspersions on the Congress government when their government had in fact compromised on the State's interests in lure of commissions.
He took strong exceptions to the attempts of the main Opposition to provoke the people in the name of alleged injustice to the State in Godavari water. 'The Polavaram-Banakacherla project was conceptualised by the neighbouring State after Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao's claim in 2016 that 3,000 tmcft of Godavari water is going waste into the sea. The BRS president went on the assert that he will extend his cooperation in making Rayalaseema fertile agreeing for diversion of Godavari water through Handri-Neeva project by the neighbouring State,' Mr. Revanth Reddy said.
He criticised the BRS leaders for trying to project an image that he (Mr. Revanth Reddy) allowed diversion of Godavari water becoming hand in glove with A.P. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. 'I did not betray the Congress like he (Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao) does after promising to merge his party with the Congress,' he alleged.
The situation was no different when it came to Krishna waters. Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao, the former Chief Minister, agreed for Telangana's share of 299 tmcft out of the 811 tmcft allowing A.P. to draw 512 tmcft as its share. 'There is record of the Apex Council meeting where Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao has accepted the offer. I am ready to furnish the proof if he is willing to come face to face in the assembly,' Mr. Revanth Reddy said. Telangana, according to international norms, should get 555 tmcft of Krishna water as 66% of the area traversed by the river was in Telangana.
The Chief Minister was particularly critical of the previous government for, what he called, swindling away huge public money in the name of Kaleshwaram project which suffered major damages within three years of construction. 'His (Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao's) family amassed thousands of crores in the name of Kaleshwaram while he mortgaged the interests of the State, especially of farmers, agreeing to lower share in river water,' he said.
The BRS government had in fact shelved the pending projects like Nettempadu, Bhima, Kalwakurthy and others works which were started when the Congress was in power in the erstwhile united State. He also dismissed claims of the BRS leaders that the government did not mount pressure on the Centre against the projects proposed by the neighbouring A.P. government.
'I am fighting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Telangana's rights and am prepared to go to any extent in this regard,' he said recalling his warning to Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil that the State would approach the Supreme Court if permission were granted to Polavaram-Banakacherla project.
Rajiv Yuva Vikasam
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has announced that the focus of his government will now be on effective implementation of Rajiv Yuva Vikasam, the scheme aimed at providing financial support to eligible youth for taking up self employment.
He said after completion of Rythu Bharosa, crediting ₹9,000 crore into the accounts of over 70 lakh farmers in nine days, the government had resolved to finalise a concrete action plan in the interests of youth. Rajiv Yuva Vikasam was conceived after filling over 60,000 vacant posts in the government enabling more youth to get employment opportunities.