KADAPA: Former Minister and TDP leader R. Rajagopala Reddy on Thursday demanded that the Government constitute an engineering experts' committee to recommend irrigation requirements of the three regions in the State rather than giving credence to baseless claims of some political parties.

The Government was bound to supply irrigation water to projects in Rayalaseema region, he said at a press conference here and reiterated his demand for increasing the capacity of Pothireddypadu head regulator to 75,000 cusecs.

He demanded that a scheme be evolved to equitably distribute assured and surplus river water to the three regions of the State. Claims on riparian rights were outdated and perennially drought-prone regions needed justice, Mr. Rajagopala Reddy maintained.

Booklet released

He released an eight-page booklet on Pothireddypadu head regulator capacity authored by Maseema Rajagopala Reddy and said it dealt with historical and scientific facts.

The former Minister derided the opposition's charge that Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy issued G.O. 170 to merely cater to the irrigation needs of Rayalaseema region.

Flaying the PCC chief K. Keshava Rao, he said his claims were aimed at benefiting Telangana. Decrying Union Minister and TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao's charges, he denied plans to utilise even water due to Telangana region. Former Minister T. Devender Goud and other TDP leaders were `politicising' the issue, he alleged.

At a capacity of 75,000 cusecs, Pothireddypadu head regulator could draw six tmcft water a day during 30 flood days, totalling 150 tmcft, he explained. He recalled that Shribagh Pact accorded priority to Rayalaseema region in irrigation water supply.

But no Government implemented it so far. He also demanded hike in capacity of Handri Neeva project to 100 tmcft.

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