HYDERABAD: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has threatened to launch an agitation with the help of farmers if the Government does not withdraw its order increasing the discharge capacity of Pothireddypadu head regulator.

Death blow

Stating that the head regulator, a component of Srisailam project, would facilitate release of 40,000 cusecs water to Rayalaseema, TRS leaders held that it would deal a death blow to the irrigation sector in Telangana region.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, TRS MLAs - G.Vijaya Rama Rao, T. Harish Rao and E. Rajender - and former Chief Engineer of Irrigation Vidyasagar accused Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy of misleading the people on the status of the Pothireddypadu head regulator.

They said that Dr. Reddy had distorted the truth and conveniently ignored the provisions of the Bachawat Tribunal Award. They contended that the committees constituted prior to the Bachawat Tribunal and their recommendations were redundant now.

None of the reports had recommended release of assured water and the latest Government Order only facilitated siphoning off water that rightfully belonged to Telangana, they said.

They said that if their demand was not conceded the Government would have to face the consequences. They also forewarned farmers about the consequences of the G.O. as it did not make any special mention of surplus waters while allowing the release of 40,000 cusecs water.

All-party meet sought

Earlier, in the Assembly, CPI and BJP members demanded that the Government keep in abeyance the controversial order. The CPI wanted an all-party meeting to be convened to discuss the issue.

Participating in a short discussion on the issue, Chada Venkat Reddy (CPI) said his party was not against the proposal but wanted the interests of Telangana region be protected.

He said that the G.O. failed to make any mention about 19 tmcft of Krishna water allocated for the Srisailam Right Branch Canal.

BJP floor leader G. Kishan Reddy termed the move `hasty' and questioned the manner in which the G.O. was issued without any discussion in the cabinet meeting. He favoured linking of the Krishna and the Godavari.

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