Minister pooh-poohs TDP chief's claim

Hyderabad, May 15 (UNI) Claiming the Congress Government brought nearly additional ayacut of 12.5 lakh acre in the last three years, Andhra Pradesh Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah said it was funny TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu 'who totally ignored farmers during his regime leading to their suicides and released a charge-sheet against the present government.

Talking to the media here today, Mr Lakshmaiah said the 'Jalayagnam' (irrigation initiative) of his government led increase in land prices and farmers reaped gold from hitherto barren lands.

Pooh-poohing Mr Naidu's claims of spending Rs 20,000 crore during the TDP regime, the Minister said not even a single drop of water was provided to the farmers.

Mr Lakshmaiah said the Congress Government had succeeded not only in utilising flood water, but also in arresting losses due to floods.

He maintained TDP could not prove even a single allegation of corruption in the implementation of irrigation projects.

Mr Lakshmaiah also said the state government was implementing the best 'Relief and Rehabilitation' (RR) package in the country for project displaced persons.

The Minister also clarified on the allegations made by the TDP on Devadula, Nettempadu, Kalvakurti, Handri-Neeva and Pothireddipadu Projects and said they were all false and unfounded.

On the allegation that the government had failed to stop the construction of Babli project on River Godavari by Maharashtra, the Minister said the government was fighting it legally and the case was before the Supreme Court.

He said it was the TDP which closed its eyes when Karnataka Government had illegally constructed the Almatti and Upper Tunga Dams, blocking the flow of river water into the state.

UNI