Telangana will fight for rightful share of Krishna, Godavari waters: Uttam | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Telangana will wage an uncompromising battle to secure its rightful share of Krishna and Godavari river waters, irrigation and civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Sunday.Speaking during an inspection of the R-9 Lift Irrigation Scheme in Suryapet district, Uttam said the Congress govt would defend the state’s interests before river water tribunals, the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) and other competent forums.Uttam dismissed criticism of the govt’s irrigation and power management as “false and bogus propaganda”, saying the previous BRS govt had spent large sums on projects without completing them or creating the promised irrigation potential.He cited the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, Kaleshwaram, and pending works under the SRSP system as examples of projects in which substantial expenditure had not translated into the intended irrigation benefits.The Congress govt, he said, was focused on completing pending projects, expanding assured irrigation, and ensuring efficient use of water and power.“Irrigation projects should be judged by the water delivered to farmers and the acreage brought under assured irrigation, not merely by the money spent,” Uttam said.During the inspection, he reviewed the scheme’s utility and stressed the need to minimise water losses and delays in delivering irrigation to farmers.Protecting Telangana’s river-water entitlements, completing pending projects and expanding dependable irrigation facilities would remain among the govt’s top priorities, he said.