Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy Hits Out at Harish Rao

Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy launched a sharp attack on BRS leader Harish Rao, stating that Andhra Pradesh has been opposing Telangana's irrigation projects in every board meeting for the past 12 years and that the issue is not new. He alleged that the BRS leadership indirectly supported Andhra Pradesh's projects while it was in power and is now making allegations after losing office. Uttam asserted that the Congress government would not compromise on protecting Telangana farmers' interests and the state's rightful share of water resources.

The minister said projects such as Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, Polavaram-Banakacherla, and Pattiseema progressed during the BRS regime, questioning why the previous government failed to protect Telangana's interests at that time. Referring to the upcoming GRMB meeting on August 18, he stated that the agenda items repeatedly raised by Andhra Pradesh are not new and have been consistently countered by the Telangana government before the GRMB, Central Water Commission (CWC), and the Ministry of Jal Shakti. He added that the state successfully secured TAC clearance for the Sitarama and SRLIP projects and reaffirmed that the government remains fully committed to safeguarding Telangana's water rights.