The Hindu Business Line : Reddy seeks Oppn co-operation in irrigation projects

Upset over the delay in executing the ambitious irrigation projects in Andhra Pradesh, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has appealed to the opposition political parties to extend their cooperation in timely execution of irrigation projects.

He has urged the opposition parties to disregard their political agendas for the time being and join hands with the Government for an all-round development of the State.

"We belong to different political parties, having different ideologies. We may differ with one another on our policies. It is a very common phenomenon in a democracy. But these differences should not become obstacles to the development," Dr Reddy said, in his open letter to political parties.

Irrigation projects

Referring to the recent heavy rains and floods in the State, wherein ten districts suffered huge loses and more than 100 people lost their lives, the Chief Minister said the absence of major irrigation projects has resulted in more than 3,000 tmc of water flowing down into the sea. Had there been irrigation projects in these affected areas, the State could have used the water for irrigating at least 40-lakh acres of additional ayacut, he said.

According to him, since 1990 as high as 9,592.8 tmc of Krishna River water has been flowing into the sea, whereas 10 per cent of this water could have provided irrigation to the entire State.

Stating that construction of irrigation projects was the only permanent solution to the problems of floods and drought in several parts of the State, the Chief Minister said only those who find permanent solution to the problems would be remembered forever in the history. "Let us all sail together in that direction and fulfil the dreams of the people by completing the irrigation projects," he urged the opposition parties.

Helping farmers

According to Dr Reddy, the construction of major, medium and minor irrigation projects, besides lift and tank irrigation schemes would stabilise the families of farmers, who constitute around 70 per cent of the State's total population.

Referring to obstacles in the Pothireddypadu irrigation project, he said as much as 500 tmc of water that was supposed to irrigate crops in the Rayalaseema region was wasted.

"Had there not been so much opposition, the work at Pothireddypadu would have been completed by now and helped farmers of drought-hit Anantapur, Kadapa, Kurnool and Chittoor districts."

Dr Reddy said Polavaram project is an effective solution to the problem of floods in Godavari River. According to him, this irrigation project would regulate the water releases and allow water to get discharged into the downstream of the project in a controlled manner.

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