Latest news with #NUttamKumarReddy
New Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Telangana complains against Andhra Pradesh's Godavari-Banakacherla project
HYDERABAD: A day after Andhra Pradesh Irrigation officials met representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Telangana government announced it will strongly oppose the proposed Godavari–Banakacherla (G-B) project. On Monday, AP officials tried to address the Ministry of Finance's queries on the project. Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the state had already lodged a formal complaint with the Centre against the project. He said he had spoken with Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, urging him to stop AP from moving ahead with the G-B project. Stop SRMC lining now, Telangana urges Centre Telangana has also written to the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) on the issue. Meanwhile, the Telangana Irrigation principal secretary has written to the secretary of the Department of Water Resources, requesting that the expansion of the discharge capacity of the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator (PRP HR) system through lining of the Srisailam Right Main Canal (SRMC) be halted immediately. He warned that failure to act would leave farmers in Telangana's drought-prone Krishna basin permanently distressed.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Hiding facts doesn't help national security, says Telangana minister Uttam Kumar Reddy
HYDERABAD: Civil Supplies and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, an Indian Air Force veteran, on Saturday demanded transparency from the Centre regarding the losses suffered during Operation Sindoor, particularly the alleged downing of Rafale jets. He said while the nation is proud of the armed forces and their devastating impact on Pakistan, the government must inform citizens about any losses. Speaking from the Congress party headquarters, Uttam highlighted concerns raised by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and CDS General Anil Chauhan regarding delays in aircraft supply, talent shortages, and operational gaps. 'Most firing happened within international borders, yet we lost fighter aircraft. This demands a serious reassessment of our defence capabilities,' he said. The minister praised the Air Force's role in the operation, calling it a 'decisive victory,' but pointed out that India has only 31 operational fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42, compromising national security amid threats from China and Pakistan. Criticising the BJP for branding Rahul Gandhi as 'anti-national' for seeking clarity on Rafale losses, Uttam said, 'Now even the Chief of Defence Staff has confirmed that IAF jets were brought down. In a democracy, accountability and transparency are essential.' He further criticised Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for delays in supplying Tejas Mark-1A jets, pointing out that despite the Air Force's need for 35–40 aircraft annually, HAL has struggled to meet its target of 24 jets per year. He cited the Air Chief's concerns about 'unrealistic deadlines and flawed contracts' that weaken institutional trust. 'We must learn from our losses. Hiding facts does not help national security,' he stated.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana govt spent Rs 10,665 cr on fine rice: Uttam
1 2 Hyderabad: Irrigation and civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday said the Congress govt has spent Rs 10,665 crore to provide quality fine rice to 89.90 lakh ration card holders, benefiting 2.81 crore people across the state. He described the initiative as a historic measure to ensure food security for the poor in Telangana. "Under the Congress govt, every beneficiary now receives six kg of fine rice free of cost. The state has achieved a record paddy procurement, marking the highest level of procurement in Telangana's 11-year history, even surpassing figures during the period of undivided Andhra Pradesh," the minister said. "In the last Kharif season, farmers cultivated paddy in 46.7 lakh acres and produced a record 1.03 crore tonnes. For the Yasangi season, cultivation extended to nearly 60 lakh acres, with an expected yield of 1.30 crore tonnes. The govt will ensure that every eligible family in Telangana receives ration card," he said. On irrigation projects, Uttam issued a strong directive to officials to expedite all land acquisition and forest clearance processes related to irrigation projects. He assured farmers that he would personally oversee the process to ensure fair compensation for their land. "For 45 years, no govt undertook desilting or de-sedimentation of SRSP, which has become heavily silted and unable to store water at its full capacity. The Congress govt has now launched a comprehensive desilting and de-sedimentation programme for major irrigation projects, including SRSP and Nagarjuna Sagar, to restore their water-holding capacity and ensure farmers receive the water they need," he added.
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Lobbying delays formation of Yadadri temple board despite law being passed two months ago
YADADRI BHUVANAGIRI: After coming to power, the Congress government in Telangana decided to constitute a board for the Yadadrigutta Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, similar to the TTD board. Facilitating the decision, the Endowments Act was amended, and a new law was passed. Though it has been two months since the temple's trust board establishment bill was approved by the Assembly, the appointment of the board chairman and members has not yet progressed. It is believed that the delay in forming the Yadadri board is due to intense lobbying among top leaders from the undivided district, each pushing for their group to get representation. The proposed board will have 18 members, including a chairman, 11 governing body members, and six ex officio members. The term for the board will be two years. The government is planning to appoint industrialists with a service mindset, spiritual leaders, and experts from various fields. It also intends to include members from other states to boost the temple's national recognition. The previous board of trustees was formed in 2008 and operated until 2010. For the past 15 years, the temple has been functioning without a governing body. With the new decision to form a board, many individuals are now showing keen interest in becoming board members of the temple or chairman. These include Congress loyalists of the past decade, disappointed ticket aspirants, leaders who worked for MLA victories, those aiming for nominated posts, businessmen, NGO organisers, and eminent personalities from various fields. Intense lobbying and political pressure These aspirants are reportedly lobbying through their political connections to secure a spot on the board. Several leaders have allegedly already started exerting pressure on their seniors. Two ministers from the erstwhile Nalgonda district — N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy — along with senior leader Jana Reddy and local MLA and government whip Beerla Ilaiah, are reportedly pushing for their own nominees to be appointed as chairman and board members.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BRS' arrogance led to collapse of Kaleshwaram project: Uttam
Hyderabad: Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy criticised the previous BRS govt, blaming its arrogance and corruption for the collapse of the Kaleshwaram project and the irreversible damage caused to the state's financial and irrigation systems. "If construction was taken up at Tummidihatti, this situation would never have arisen," he said. Speaking to the media in Huzurnagar on Saturday after a detailed review of development works in Huzurnagar and Kodad, the minister said, "Tummidihatti, designed by the Congress under the Dr BR Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Sravanthi project with an estimated cost of ₹38,000 crore, was deliberately set aside by the BRS govt because they did not want the Congress to get credit. Instead, they shifted the plan to Medigadda and launched Kaleshwaram, lured by commissions. " He said the Kaleshwaram cost was suddenly inflated to ₹1.2 lakh crore from the original ₹38,000 crore. "Just because commissions were not coming their way, they dumped a viable project and took up an unnecessary, faulty one. And the result is in front of us—the same Kaleshwaram collapsed under their own tenure," he said, terming it a textbook case of greed and misgovernance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning For Working Professionals. BITS Pilani WILP Apply Now Undo Uttam said if the Congress' original Tummidihatti plan was completed with ₹38,000 crore, the remaining ₹62,000 crore could have been used to complete several pending irrigation projects across Telangana. "Projects such as Palamuru-Rangareddy, Koilsagar, Bhima, Nettempadu, Kalwakurthy, SLBC, Dindi, Devadula, Gouravelli, and Sitarama—all could have been completed. Telangana would have become lush and agriculturally self-sufficient," he asserted. The minister said that due to the misadventures of the BRS govt, the state now has to repay ₹16,000 crore every year, including interest. "These loans have now become a generational burden and will haunt us for the next three generations," Uttam said. He asserted that the judicial probe headed by Justice PC Ghose is fully transparent and unbiased. "The commission is functioning independently and lawfully. Whatever action is taken will be based on the commission's findings and the people's mandate," he said, reiterating the govt's commitment to accountability.
