(Image source from: Telanganatoday.com)
TS Seeks Early Release Of Funds For Irrigation Projects:- The Centre was asked by Minister for Irrigation T Harish Rao, to release Rs 500 crore due to the State under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP).
To expedite the process of according environmental clearances for State projects, including Kaleshwaram, Harish Rao also wanted steps to be taken. The Kaleshwaram project currently is high on its agenda.
Harish Rao was addressing at a review meeting of AIBP projects. The meeting was held by Union Minister for Water Resources and River Development Nitin Jairam Gadkari at Shrama Shakti Bhavan in New Delhi. Overall, around 11 projects were being implemented under the programme. This also includes the four irrigation projects - Indiramma Flood flow canal, Devadula Lift Scheme, Rajeev Bhima Lift Scheme and Sriramsagar Phase II.
The Minister said any delay in the implementation of the AIBP works would result in heavy burden on the State exchequer also. Under the 11 AIBP projects, the command area development works would cost Rs 1,928.84 crore, out of which around Rs 985.10 crore would be the State’s share.
About Rs 943 crore of the total cost on the works, the Centre would bear. So far, only three of the AIBP works were completed in the State and others are in different stages of progress, he said. Responding to his pleas, the Central Water Commission (CWC) officials were directed by Gadkari, to address the issues raised by the State on priority. The the issues involved in sharing of river waters between the two Telugu States would also be resolved, Gadkari assured Harish Rao. This would be done by holding a meeting with Principal Secretaries of Irrigation of the two States.
Harish Rao called on Union Minister for Environment Harsh Vardhan, earlier in the day, and sought his cooperation in speeding up the environmental clearances for Kaleshwaram and Palamuru Lift irrigation projects. Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu was also called on by Harish Rao. Naidu was discharged from hospital recently.
SUPRAJA
