Overview
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has accused the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) regime of neglecting the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy project and diverting funds to the Kaleshwaram project. He claimed that the BRS leadership was misleading the public on irrigation projects in Palamuru, Nalgonda, and Khammam districts.
Key Allegations and Claims
Neglect of Palamuru-Ranga Reddy Project
Mr. Reddy stated that the BRS leaders were spreading false propaganda about injustice to Palamuru, Nalgonda, and Khammam. He emphasized that the Palamuru–Ranga Reddy project was originally proposed for 90 TMC — 45 TMC through minor irrigation and 45 TMC via Godavari diversion.
BRS's Stance in Supreme Court
The Irrigation Minister alleged that BRS agreed to only 7 TMC in the Supreme Court and failed to complete the project in ten years. He assured that the current government would complete the project and deliver water to Palamuru.
Delay and Financial Mismanagement
Mr. Reddy criticized the delay in sending the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Centre, which took seven years. He pointed out that by then, ₹21,000 crore had already been spent. Out of an estimated ₹65,000 crore, only ₹27,000 crore was spent in a decade. He also mentioned that land acquisition for canals would require ₹70,000 crore in total.
Expenditure Discrepancies
Comparison of Project Spending
Mr. Reddy highlighted that only ₹27,000 crore was spent on Palamuru, while ₹1 lakh crore was spent on Kaleshwaram, questioning the discrimination against Palamuru. He also mentioned that the Congress Government in just two years spent ₹7,000 crore on irrigation and installed 11 motors, compared to only one pump under BRS.
Incomplete Projects
He charged that the then BRS regime deliberately slowed down works and lamented that pending projects like Nettampadu, Kalwakurthi, and Bhima remain incomplete. He pointed out neglect of SLBC, which could have been completed with ₹2,000 crore, and failure to finish Kalwakurthi despite requiring only ₹900 crore.
Exam Relevance
This news article is relevant to GS2 (Government Policies and Politics) and GS3 (Infrastructure and Economy). It highlights issues related to irrigation projects, fund allocation, and regional development, which are important for the UPSC Civil Services Exam.
Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants
- Understanding the importance of irrigation projects for agricultural development.
- Analyzing the challenges in implementing large-scale infrastructure projects.
- Evaluating the role of government policies in ensuring equitable regional development.