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Hans India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
One month after Sigachi tragedy, ex-gratia still eludes victims' kin
Hyderabad: BRS senior leader T Harish Rao today demanded monthly remuneration for the families of victims of the Sigachi fire accident in Pashamylaram, alleging that despite one month having passed, the Rs 1 crore ex-gratia announced by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has yet to reach them. Harish Rao visited the Sangareddy Collectorate along with the grieving families of the Sigachi fire tragedy victims, where he met the Additional Collector, questioning the government's complete failure in handing over bodies and providing compensation. Leading a protest rally to the Collectorate, Harish Rao stated that nearly a month had passed since the Sigachi incident, yet the affected families were still observing monthly mourning rituals. He pointed out that while the Chief Minister had visited and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 crore for each deceased victim, not a single family had received any funds, even after a month. Families, he added, were not even given the bodies for final rites; some reportedly received only ashes, which they immersed in the Godavari River. Such a horrific industrial disaster, claiming 54 lives, had never occurred before in united Andhra Pradesh or in Telangana, yet the government's response has been 'utterly inhumane and irresponsible.' Harish Rao condemned the alleged insensitivity of officials, stating, 'When families ask for ex-gratia and death certificates, officials coldly say 'At least you got ashes. In the SLBC incident, even that wasn't available.' What kind of inhuman behaviour is this?' He noted that families from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh had reportedly spent between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000 merely to travel and stay in Hyderabad. The Chief Minister announced Rs 1 crore compensation, but 'when, by whom, and how? No one has an answer,' he said, adding that many victims were still undergoing treatment. While the Chief Minister promised Rs 10 lakh for the severely injured, only Rs 50,000 was allegedly paid, and the matter closed. The BRS leader demanded Rs 50 lakh for the critically injured and a monthly salary for their sustenance. Rao highlighted that it was an NGO, 'Scientists for People,' that eventually filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking compensation for victims. He questioned why, even after a month, the government had not officially released the number of dead or injured. 'Why is the government hiding the names of the deceased, the compensation paid, and the help extended to the injured?' he demanded. The BRS leader further asked why the government had not revealed the real cause behind this disaster, stating that the committee appointed by the Chief Minister had seemingly 'vanished.' He concluded that even after a month and 54 deaths, no action had been taken against the company. Stating that the Chief Minister's 'irresponsibility on such a serious matter was unacceptable,' the BRS leader urged the Chief Minister to 'open his eyes before it's too late.'
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Telangana seeks allocation of assured water to drought-prone areas
HYDERABAD: Telangana counsel on Friday explained to the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal (Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II) how the lift irrigation schemes are essential for the state and how historically gravity flows were denied to it, compelling it to take up the lift irrigation schemes. The counsel, using maps, explained how the reorganisation of states in 1956 and improper persuasion by the erstwhile AP with Union government and KWDT-I impacted the gravity flows to the tune of 174.3 tmcft to Telangana areas. He also explained how the ongoing projects like Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC), Kalwakurthi LIS, Nettampadu LIS, Palamuru-Rangareddy LIS and Dindi LIS with a total water requirement should be covered under assured water, under 75% dependability. The senior counsel brought to the notice of the Tribunal, the proposal of Karnataka, during earlier proceedings of this Tribunal in 2009-2010 about the issue of resolving the height of the Almatti dam, to facilitate the usage of 60 tmcft by Andhra Pradesh from enhanced storage of Almatti. However, unfortunately the then Andhra Pradesh government denied the proposal and he expressed that if Telangana state existed at that time, it would have got the benefit of this 60 tmcft and would have bargained for more by way of gravity canals from Almatti project. He submitted how the area under Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal (NSLC) in Telangana region was brought down from 6.6 lakh acres to 5.4 lakh acres, duly reducing the water utilisation and simultaneously increasing the areas from 1.3 lakh acres to 3.8 lakh acres, contradicting the Planning Commission Approval of NSP in 1956. He explained the Palamuru-Rangareddy LIS and SLBC projects in detail and also storage reservoirs created under these projects, and also about other ongoing projects. Explaining in detail the status of all the ongoing projects, he also sought allocation of assured water to the most deserved drought-prone and fluoride-affected areas of Telangana within the Krishna basin. The allocation of assured water to Telangana projects will not in any way impact the the Andhra Pradesh as it gets enough water for its projects from the self-yield in other basins and alternate sources, he argued. Telangana's senior counsel concluded his final arguments for this session on Friday. The next hearing is scheduled for August 28 and 29.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Telangana apprises KWDT-II how it was denied gravity flows in Krishna Basin
HYDERABAD Telangana apprised the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal (KWDT-II) on Friday how it was historically denied gravity flows in the Krishna Basin and was compelled to take up only the lift irrigation schemes, thus making them essential for the State. Senior counsel appearing for Telangana C.S. Vaidyanathan explained to the Tribunal with the helps of maps how the Reorganisation of States in 1956 had affected the gravity flows to the tune of 174.3 tmc ft to Telangana areas with improper presentation of the case by the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh with the Union Government and KWDT-I. He explained to the Tribunal about the necessity of the ongoing projects such as Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC), Kalwakruthy LIS, Nettempadu LIS, Dindi LIS, Palamuru-Rangareddy LIS and others covered under the assured water category with 75% dependability. He also brought to the notice of the Tribunal about the proposal of Karnataka about resolving the issue of Almatti dam height to facilitate the usage of 60 tmc ft by the combined A.P. with the enhanced storage of Almatti. However, the combined A.P. denied the proposal then (2009-10). If the Telangana State existed at that time, it would have got the benefit of that 60 tmc ft and would have bargained for more by way of gravity canals from Almatti, the counsel for Telangana said. Further, he explained to the Tribunal how the area under Nagarjunasagar Left Canal in Telangana was brought down from 6.6 lakh acres to 5.4 lakh acres duly reducing the water utilisation, contradicting the Planning Commission approval of the project in 1956. Telangana's counsel explained about Palamuru-Rangareddy LIS and SLBC projects in detail and their storage capacities. The status of all other ongoing projects in the Basin in Telangana were also explained with a request for allocation of assured water to the most deserved drought-prone and fluoride-affected areas and also that it would not affect, in any way, water usage in A.P. and added that there was water for everybody's needs but not for the greed. The Tribunal allowed Telangana's plea for two more days to complete its arguments on July 28 and 29.
United News of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Telangana govt to appoint former Indian Army Engineer-in-Chief as Honorary advisor to strengthen Irrigation Dept. technical capacity
Hyderabad, July 19 (UNI) Telangana Irrigation Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday directed officials concerned to immediately resume the remaining tunneling operations, including drilling and blasting. Uttam announced that General Harpal Singh, former Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army, would soon be appointed as an Honorary Advisor to strengthen the department's technical capacity and execution capabilities. The Minister, who conducted an in-depth review of the long-pending Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel works, said that an estimated 4.8 kilometres of tunnel work remains to be completed. Calling SLBC a crucial lifeline for Telangana, he said its completion must be treated as a top priority and executed with urgency. SLBC tunnel work is being taken up using the latest electromagnetic survey technology in collaboration with the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI), he said. To ensure precise planning and seamless execution, the Minister directed officials to expedite the aerial LIDAR survey. The Minister met earlier in the day with NGRI scientists to finalise the technical modalities of the survey. He reiterated that cost would not be a constraint, but quality and speed must be maintained at the highest standards. The meeting also marked the first formal interaction with Colonel Parikshit Mehra, a globally acclaimed tunnel engineering expert who has recently joined the Irrigation Department on deputation. The Minister expressed confidence that Mehra's expertise would help resolve long-pending technical challenges and fast-track the completion of SLBC and other key tunnel projects. UNI KNR GNK
News18
18-07-2025
- Business
- News18
NABARD reinforces commitment to rural entrepreneurship, inclusive growth
Ranchi, Jul 18 (PTI) The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to driving inclusive rural development, with a renewed focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial inclusion on its 44th foundation day. Shilpi Neha Tirkey, Jharkhand's Minister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperation, acknowledged the NABARD's significant contribution to rural development in the state and stressed the need for enhanced collaboration between the bank and the state government to improve the execution, monitoring, and impact of rural schemes. Addressing the issue of rural credit bottlenecks, Tirkey urged the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) and financial institutions to address last-mile credit access challenges and adopt innovative practices to ensure timely credit to farmers and entrepreneurs. Gautam Singh, chief general manager, NABARD Jharkhand, highlighted the institution's evolving development vision and its role as a catalyst for rural transformation. He outlined NABARD's strategic interventions over the past 24 years in the state, ranging from strengthening farm and non-farm infrastructure to supporting farmer producer organisations (FPOs), and enabling financial inclusion through partnerships with banks and grassroots institutions. Singh emphasised the growing importance of technology-driven solutions and climate-resilient practices in ensuring sustainable rural progress. He reiterated NABARD's role as a bridge between policy formulation and on-ground implementation, and its mission to deepen outreach to the most underserved sections of rural society. Addressing the issue of rural credit bottlenecks, Tirkey urged the SLBC and financial institutions to address last-mile credit access challenges and adopt innovative practices to ensure timely credit to farmers and entrepreneurs. A panel discussion on 'Fostering Rural Entrepreneurship for Inclusive Growth' took place on the occasion addressed by K Shrinivasan, Secretary, Rural Development Department, Anamika Sharma, Officer-in-Charge, RBI Ranchi, Prashant Gattani, President, Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce & Industries, Aman Kumar, faculty, IIM Ranchi and entrepreneur Nishant Kumar. The panelists deliberated on enabling policies, youth engagement, financial linkages, market access, and the need for capacity building in the rural enterprise ecosystem. NABARD was recognised for its catalytic role in promoting rural startups and empowering rural youth. Two NABARD publications were launched on the occasion — 'NABARD in Jharkhand 2024-25 — a comprehensive report detailing NABARD's key initiatives and sectoral interventions, and 'Unit Cost Booklet 2024-25' – a practical tool for banks and stakeholders to plan and finance rural economic activities. PTI NAM MNB view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 20:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
