Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

BJP for constitution of expert panel

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA NOV. 29. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged the State Government to constitute a high-level expert committee to work out a strategy for effective utilisation of the Godavari waters.

Utilisation of the Godavari waters was the panacea to irrigate the parched lands of not only the Telangana region, but also the Krishna delta region, thereby putting an end to the growing skirmishes among farmers over sharing of the waters, the party felt.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, the Warangal Mayor, T. Rajeshwar Rao, the State committee member, V. Srinivas Raju, and the city president, L.R.K. Prasad, regretted that the party had on several occasion raised the issue of utilising the Godavari waters, as at least 800 TMC from the river was going waste into the sea, but the Government had not shown any interest in tapping the water.

Adding to this, some political parties like the Congress and the TRS were whipping up regional passions among farmers to safeguard their local interests. Mr. Rao appealed to the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, to convene a high-level panel of irrigation experts, representatives of farmers and leaders of various political parties to chalk out an action plan for utilising the waters. He felt that instead of raking up regional sentiments, it was the duty of every political party in the State to create awareness among farmers and the people on the need for utilising the surplus Godavari waters.

The misgivings among the Telangana and Andhra people that their interests would be affected by the proposed irrigation projects should be dispelled by political parties, the BJP leaders said.

On Pulichintala, Mr. Rao said land could be acquired from local farmers after giving them adequate compensation or alternative sites as they were mainly concerned about losing their livelihood if lands were taken away without due compensation.

The leaders urged the Chief Minister to take immediate steps for acquiring surplus lands in the State for distribution among the landless and poor families. According to the party, there was an estimated 50,000 acres of surplus Government land and it was high time the Government took the initiative of acquiring these lands for distribution.

Replying to questions, Mr. Rajaeshwar Rao said the party's campaign "Dunnagalige varike bhumi'' (land for the capable tiller) was a tremendous success, as in Warangal alone, 1,000 acres of land was acquired by the Government and distributed among the landless poor.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Naidu criticises Congress for `false promises'
• One killed in fire
• Foreign ship `detained' for paying low wages
• Health Secretary cautions Govt. doctors
• CPI(M) delegation to meet Governor, CM
• Naidu unveils package for orphan students
• Police wield pen to take on naxals
• Congress promises to hold talks with People's War
• Other communities seek `fair deal'
• BJP joins ranks of Velugu critics
• BJP for constitution of expert panel
• All-party team to sound out Karnataka, Maharashtra

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu