HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Tuesday insisted on maintenance of quality in design, construction and material used in irrigation projects.

Engineers must enforce international standard codes and specifications mentioned in the agreements with contractors, he said at a marathon three-hour meeting to review the progress of irrigation projects.

Dr. Reddy wanted quality control inspections of the construction by third parties wherever they were selected and, if necessary, by Vigilance and Enforcement teams.

It was decided to make micro-irrigation, lift or sprinkler irrigation, mandatory in areas irrigated by lift irrigation schemes and to do away with field channels and cultivation of paddy. Water would be taken to the field by the Irrigation Department while the Horticulture Department would install micro-irrigation systems. A sump would be provided for every 100 acres. A pilot project would be grounded under AMR Canal in Nalgonda district.

Deadlines

Dr. Reddy indicated that the Government would maintain all lift schemes on the ground that the farmers could not be burdened further. He wanted officials to stick to deadlines for providing water to an additional ayacut of 7.5 lakh acres this kharif. Major Irrigation Minister P. Lakshamiah told reporters later that there might be delay of 40 to 60 days in respect of two or three projects.

The Minister said it was resolved to execute Dummagudem, Pulichintala, Polavaram and Sinagreddypalli hydroelectric projects through AP Genco. However, discussions would be held with NTPC to implement the two projects planned on Pranahita-Chevella project as proposed by the Chief Minister.

It was also decided to continue giving top priority to land acquisition for rehabilitating displaced families at the earliest. The Chief Minister approved a proposal to fill vacancies in regular posts in the Irrigation Department.

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