TRS, CPM stage walkout from House

Hyderabad, Mar 20: The Telangana Rastra Samithi (TRS) and the Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPI-M) today (Mar 20, 2006) staged walkout from the Andhra Pradesh Assembly protesting against negligence of the Telangana region in the implementation of irrigation projects.

The issue came up during Question Hour when TRS members G Nagesh and Party Floor Leader G Vijaya Rama Rao alleged the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) (on River Krishna) benefitting the Telangana region was being neglected, while the Right Bank Canal benefitting the Rayalaseema region was developed.

Dr Rao said while 30 tmcft of water each should have been given to Telangana and Rayalaseema, more than 100 tmcft of water was being released to the Rayalaseema while Telangana got less than 30 tmcft of water.

He said the present government was acting against an all-party petition on the aportionment of water between Telangana and Rayalaseema regions.

CPI(M) Floor Leader Nomula Narasimhaiah alleged the government was according step motherly treatment to the Telangana region.

Members questioned why tunnel work that will benefit the Telangana region was not being taken up.

Minister for Major Irrigation Ponnala Lakshmaiah said the project, launched in 1983 during the then TDP regime, was not properly funded slowing the pace of work. He said during 2006-07 an amount of Rs 700 crore was allocated for the project.

The Minister also said the contracts had been awarded for digging two tunnels at the cost of Rs 1,925 crore and mobilisation advance of Rs 96 crore had already been released.

The designs for the tunnels were under the examination of the high powered committee appointed to go into the projects.

Notwithstanding the reply of the Minister, the TRS and the CPI(M) members alleged there was a scheme to divert Krishna water for the Rayalaseema Region at the cost of Telangana and staged a walkout.

UNI