Only surplus water for Rayalaseema irrigation projects: AP CM

Hyderabad, Apr 1 (UNI) Making it clear that only surplus Krishna waters were being taken to irrigation projects in Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today wanted Leader of the Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu to clarify whether his TDP was for or against expanding the Pothyreddypadu head regulator capacity.

Intervening TDP Legislature Party Deputy Leader T Devender Goud during a discussion on the no-confidence motion against the Congress Government, the Chief Minister asked what was wrong in diverting waters of river Godavari to the Krishna basin when a huge quantity of water was being drained into the sea.

Responding, Mr Naidu alleged that the ruling Congress was whipping up regional feelings by politicising sensitive riparian issues and demanded that the Government come out with a comprehensive water policy.

Only surplus waters were being taken to Rayalseema irrigation projects after meeting the requirements of the Krishna delta, the Chief Minister maintained, asking why the TDP was against the Telugu Ganga project initiated by its founder and former Chief Minister N T Rama Rao.

Justifying implementation of projects to benefit his home constituency of Pulivendulu in Kadapa district, he said the irrigation projects have been neglected by the previous TDP Government. The Government was spending 50 per cent of the total irrigation spending in the Telangana region, he claimed.

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