Latest news with #THarishRao
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Harish slams Cong over investing in HP hydel project
Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader T Harish Rao on Friday criticised the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government for investing Rs 6,200 crore in a hydel power project in Himachal Pradesh through TSGenco, stating, 'When the State can't afford basic welfare, launching a vanity project in Himachal is like wearing perfume with an empty stomach.' The BRS leader accused the government of betraying Telangana's people by prioritising a risky out-of-State venture over promised welfare schemes. Rao questioned the rationale behind Telangana's MoU with the Himachal Pradesh government, signed without a Detailed Project Report (DPR) or TSGenco board approval. The State had already paid Rs 26 crore as an upfront premium and was set to pay another Rs 26 crore, raising serious concerns about financial transparency. He demanded answers to critical questions- 'Why is Telangana investing in a 510 MW project abandoned by major players like Moser Baer and NTPC? Why pursue a project deemed unviable for two decades?' The former minister outlined the project's troubled history. In 2009, Moser Baer paid Rs 64 crore for the proposed Seli and Miyar hydel projects but withdrew due to technical and financial infeasibility, later recovering its payment through a Himachal Pradesh High Court order in January 2023. Similarly, NTPC, a Central PSU, cancelled its 2019 agreement after three years, citing the region's heavy snowfall for over seven months annually. In November 2024, the Himachal High Court ordered the auction of Himachal Bhawan in Delhi to settle Moser Baer's dues, highlighting the state's financial distress. 'How can a government that says it cannot secure loans justify spending Rs 6,200 crore in another State?' he asked. Demanding accountability, Rao urged Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka to release a white paper explaining the project's justification and called for a discussion in the Telangana Assembly.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Harish slams Telangana govt over hydel project in Himachal
Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader T Harish Rao on Friday slammed the Congress for investing Rs 6,200 crore in a hydel power project in Himachal Pradesh through TG Genco, while failing to implement basic welfare schemes in Telangana. He accused the Revanth Reddy govt of betraying the people of Telangana by prioritising a risky, out-of-state venture over the welfare schemes it had promised. Harish Rao demanded deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka to release a white paper explaining the rationale behind the investment and called for a discussion in the Telangana assembly. In a statement, he questioned the basis of Telangana's MoU with the Himachal Pradesh govt, which was signed without a Detailed Project Report (DPR) or TG Genco board approval. "The state has already paid Rs 26 crore as an upfront premium and is set to pay another Rs 26 crore, raising serious concerns about financial transparency. The govt owes the people answers to critical questions — Why is Telangana investing in a 510 MW project that was abandoned by major players such as Moser Baer and NTPC? Why pursue a project deemed unviable for two decades?" he said. The BRS leader said the state govt had failed to fund critical schemes in state, including farmer loan waiver, Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, Asara pensions, Mahalakshmi, student fee reimbursements, and employee pensions, all while claiming a lack of funds or loans. "How can a govt that says it cannot secure loans justify spending Rs 6,200 crore in another state?" he questioned.
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Harish Rao slams Centre, AP over Godavari water; seeks special Assembly session
HYDERABAD: Alleging that the state and Central governments failed to protect the Telangana water rights, BRS leader and former irrigation minister T Harish Rao on Sunday demanded that the government convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly and discuss the Godavari-Banakacherla irrigation project taken up by the Andhra Pradesh government. Speaking to reporters, he said that the Godavari-Banakacherla project was a 'well-orchestrated conspiracy' to divert 200 tmcft of Godavari water to AP, which would be detrimental to Telangana. He alleged that Andhra Pradesh is aggressively pushing forward with the Banakacherla project without securing any mandatory approvals — neither from the apex council, nor from the Central Water Commission (CWC). He pointed out that no consent was given by Telangana or other riparian states to the project, which is a violation of the provisions of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. Accusing the BJP-led Central government of adopting double standards, Harish Rao pointed out that while Polavaram was granted national project status and over `80,000 crore funds, Telangana's Kaleshwaram and Sitarama irrigation projects were denied similar recognition. 'Now, the Centre is reportedly offering to fund 50% cost of Banakacharla through grants besides allowing Andhra Pradesh to raise the remaining funds via FRBM-limit exemptions, a privilege never extended to Telangana. Effectively, the Centre is planning to fund a project, which has no approvals,' he said. The former irrigation minister alleged that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy failed to act or even raise his voice against the Godavari-Banakacherla project. He said though Revanth Reddy attended NITI Aayog meeting, he did not speak against the project.
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Harish calls for all-party meet to discuss Banakacharla proj
Hyderabad: Alleging that the AP government was conspiring to take away 200 tmcft from the Godavari River through Banakacharla project and condemning the Congress and BJP for failing to protect Telangana's water rights, senior BRS leader T Harish Rao on Sunday demanded special Assembly session and an all-party meeting to discuss the serious issue. Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, he attacked both the Telangana government and the Centre, accusing them of jointly undermining the irrigation interests of Telangana. Rao expressed grave concern over what he described as a 'well-orchestrated conspiracy' to divert the Godavari river water to AP through the controversial Banakacharla project. Rao said, 'Telangana's hard-earned right of water is once again under threat, this time due to the inaction and indifference of the Congress in Telangana.' He alleged that AP was aggressively pushing forward with the Banakacharla project without securing any mandatory approvals, neither from the Apex Council, nor from the Central Water Commission, nor from environmental bodies. No consent has been taken from Telangana or other riparian States, a violation of the AP Reorganisation Act. 'This is nothing short of bulldozing established norms,' Rao said, adding that Central agencies appear to be complicit by their silence and support. He highlighted the 'hypocrisy' of AP leaders, pointing out that CM N Chandrababu Naidu was writing multiple letters to stop Telangana's own projects, including Kaleshwaram, Palamuru-Rangareddy and Bhakta Ramadasu, citing environmental and legal concerns. Naidu even moved the National Green Tribunal and raised objections with the Centre. Yet, today, the same leaders were executing a completely new Godavari project without any scrutiny. Alleging bias by the Centre, Rao said it was maintaining double standards. He pointed out that while Polavaram was granted national project status and received over Rs 80,000 crore in Central funding, Telangana's major irrigation projects like Kaleshwaram and Sitarama have been denied similar recognition. Now, the Centre is reportedly offering to fund 50 per cent of Banakacharla through grants, while allowing AP to raise the remaining via FRBM-limit exemptions, a privilege never extended to Telangana. He questioned how the Centre could offer financial assistance to a project that has zero legal approvals. 'Why is the BJP treating Telangana like a stepchild?' Is there no value for efforts Telangana made to build sustainable irrigation?' he asked. Rao called for a special Assembly session to pass a unanimous resolution opposing the project, and approaching the Supreme Court for a stay.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Why CM silent on AP's Godavari-Banakacherla project, asks Harish
Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader T Harish Rao raised objections to the Godavari-Banakacherla link project proposed by Andhra Pradesh. Addressing the media here on Sunday, the former minister accused the govt of the neighbouring state of proceeding with the project without obtaining the necessary approvals. The BRS leader said he had expected chief minister Revanth to raise the issue during the Niti Aayog meeting. However, he remained mum before the Prime Minister, he said. Stating that an interstate agreement must be reached with all riparian states, he said that clearances from Central Water Commission and environmental authorities are mandatory. He questioned how the Godavari-Banakacherla project could be initiated without adhering to these regulations. He alleged that the Central govt was hastily pushing the project and issuing tenders overnight. "Chief minister A Revanth Reddy, who claimed that injustice was meted out to Telangana in the Union Budget, is now silent," Harish said, adding, that those unable to safeguard the interests of the state should reflect on whether they are fit to hold their positions. Harish Rao also questioned the silence of Congress and BJP MPs while water from the state is being diverted. He pointed out that funds for the Musi beautification project have not yet been received and the status of the Metro Rail project phase-II remains uncertain. He questioned why the Central govt granted national project status to Polavaram but has not extended the same to Kaleswaram or any other project in Telangana. He questioned whether the Central govt, which is providing financial support of up to Rs 60,000 crore for projects in Andhra Pradesh, has even allocated even a single rupee to projects in Telangana. "Water flows downstream only because Telangana is unable to utilise it. If the state were to use the water, it would not reach the sea," he said and questioned the silence of Union ministers Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay on the issue.
