Harish Rao Warns of Agitation Over Water Rights Ahead of GRMB Meeting

Hyderabad: BRSLP deputy leader T Harish Rao accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of misleading the public regarding Telangana’s irrigation history and demanded immediate steps to protect the State's water rights. He warned that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) would launch a major agitation if Andhra Pradesh’s proposals against Telangana projects were not dropped ahead of the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) meeting scheduled for August 18.

Harish Rao countered recent claims made by Revanth Reddy that the Kaleshwaram project played no role in Telangana's record paddy production. The Chief Minister had attributed the state's agricultural output to favorable monsoons, the addition of 15 lakh new borewells, and government initiatives such as Rythu Bharosa, Rythu Bima, crop-loan waivers, and 24-hour free electricity.

Responding to those remarks, Harish Rao questioned why the Chief Minister was directing officials to maximise the lifting of Godavari water from the Yellampalli, Devadula, and Sitarama Lift Irrigation projects if Kaleshwaram had no impact. He stated that these projects directly or indirectly benefited from the Kaleshwaram project and argued that the government could not change history by covering up facts.

According to Harish Rao, the completion of the Yellampalli, Mid Manair, Devadula, and Sitarama projects under the previous BRS administration, alongside tank restoration, improved groundwater levels, and reliable 24-hour power supply, collectively boosted cultivation across the state. He noted that Yellampalli and Mid Manair formed an integral part of the Kaleshwaram project, which also aided in stabilising the full ayacut of the Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP) and Nizam Sagar.

Accusing the Congress government of neglecting the irrigation sector and compromising Telangana’s water interests, Harish Rao demanded the immediate removal of Andhra Pradesh’s proposals from the upcoming GRMB agenda. He warned that if the proposals were not withdrawn before the August 18 meeting, BRS workers and supporters would lay siege to the GRMB office with thousands of people to protect the state's water rights.