Harish calls for all-party meet to discuss Banakacharla proj

Hyderabad: Alleging that the AP government was conspiring to take away 200 tmcft from the Godavari River through Banakacharla project and condemning the Congress and BJP for failing to protect Telangana's water rights, senior BRS leader T Harish Rao on Sunday demanded special Assembly session and an all-party meeting to discuss the serious issue.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, he attacked both the Telangana government and the Centre, accusing them of jointly undermining the irrigation interests of Telangana. Rao expressed grave concern over what he described as a 'well-orchestrated conspiracy' to divert the Godavari river water to AP through the controversial Banakacharla project.
Rao said, 'Telangana's hard-earned right of water is once again under threat, this time due to the inaction and indifference of the Congress in Telangana.' He alleged that AP was aggressively pushing forward with the Banakacharla project without securing any mandatory approvals, neither from the Apex Council, nor from the Central Water Commission, nor from environmental bodies. No consent has been taken from Telangana or other riparian States, a violation of the AP Reorganisation Act.
'This is nothing short of bulldozing established norms,' Rao said, adding that Central agencies appear to be complicit by their silence and support. He highlighted the 'hypocrisy' of AP leaders, pointing out that CM N Chandrababu Naidu was writing multiple letters to stop Telangana's own projects, including Kaleshwaram, Palamuru-Rangareddy and Bhakta Ramadasu, citing environmental and legal concerns. Naidu even moved the National Green Tribunal and raised objections with the Centre. Yet, today, the same leaders were executing a completely new Godavari project without any scrutiny.
Alleging bias by the Centre, Rao said it was maintaining double standards. He pointed out that while Polavaram was granted national project status and received over Rs 80,000 crore in Central funding, Telangana's major irrigation projects like Kaleshwaram and Sitarama have been denied similar recognition. Now, the Centre is reportedly offering to fund 50 per cent of Banakacharla through grants, while allowing AP to raise the remaining via FRBM-limit exemptions, a privilege never extended to Telangana. He questioned how the Centre could offer financial assistance to a project that has zero legal approvals. 'Why is the BJP treating Telangana like a stepchild?' Is there no value for efforts Telangana made to build sustainable irrigation?' he asked.
Rao called for a special Assembly session to pass a unanimous resolution opposing the project, and approaching the Supreme Court for a stay.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

29 minutes ago

• Time of India

Court order seeking FIR in EDC land fraud matter stayed

Panaji: The high court of Bombay at Goa stayed the order of a North Goa court directing the anti-corruption branch (ACB) of the directorate of vigilance to register a first information report (FIR) in connection with allegations of fraud related to land allotment at EDC, Patto. Initially, the trial court had directed the CBI to register the FIR but later assigned the task to the ACB. S Karpe, additional public prosecutor said that the order passed by the sessions court judge at Panaji in the criminal case did not take into consideration the consent as contemplated under Section 17(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018. According to the counsel, there was no reason given by the trial court for arriving at the conclusion that the FIR needs to be registered within 24 hours in accordance with the complaint. Subsequently, an application was filed for an extension of time, which was granted by the sessions court on June 19, extending the same by 48 hours. 'Issue notice to the respondents, returnable on July 11, 2025. Notice be issued by all the available modes of service. In the meantime, the effect and operation of the order dated June 9, 2025, shall be stayed till the next date,' Justice Nivedita Mehta observed. Activists had moved the court alleging that govt property was allotted to EDC to house certain offices, but they allegedly leased and sold land without obtaining permission from the govt, causing a loss of Rs 300 crore to the state exchequer. Even if permission was obtained, they ought to have deposited 50% of the amount with the govt or the EDC, which has not been done, the activists had alleged. 'In the present case, the FIR ought to have been registered. There is nothing exceptional in the present case that warrants a delay in the registration of an FIR on the ground of a preliminary inquiry. Even if there were exceptional circumstances in the case, any preliminary inquiry could not have, under any circumstances, exceeded two days,' the sessions court Judge Irshad Agha had stated. 'In the present case, the FIR ought to have been registered and a preliminary inquiry ought to have been carried out by the investigating agency. However, there is enough material to directly register the FIR,' the judge had said.

Time of India

29 minutes ago

• Time of India

DMK obstructing Murugan meet: L Murugan

Madurai: Union minister of state L Murugan on Saturday accused the DMK government of deliberately creating obstacles to the Murugan Devotees Conference in Madurai, with the support of the police. He claimed the state's actions reflected fear over the growing influence of the event. "Despite the DMK's anti-Hindu stance and pressure tactics, the conference will proceed with full enthusiasm," Murugan said after visiting the venue. "Lakhs have already arrived in Madurai. The scale of participation is comparable to the Chithirai festival." Highlighting the BJP's past campaigns, he said, "We responded to those who insulted Kanda Sashti Kavasam with the Vel Yatra. This conference is our answer to the controversy in Thiruparankundram. Tomorrow, lakhs will sing the Kavasam in unison, and we urge other devotees to join in from their homes."

Time of India

29 minutes ago

• Time of India

Announcement on defence equipment factory in Salem soon, says union minister H D Kumaraswamy

Salem: Union steel and heavy industries minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday said an announcement regarding the establishment of a defence equipment manufacturing factory on the premises of Salem Steel Plant would be made soon. "The proposal is currently in the early stages of discussion. A formal announcement in this regard will be made in the next four to five months," he said after attending the International Yoga Day celebrations at the Salem Steel Plant, where he did various yoga asanas along with the plant officials, members of trade unions and employees. Addressing the media, he commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting yoga across the globe and inspiring people. He said efforts were on to revitalize the Salem Steel Plant on the technical and marketing fronts. "In the 2003-2004 financial year, the plant was profitable. However, the profitability has since declined. The primary goal is to redevelop the plant and restore its profitability by developing various new products." Referring to the one nation, one election policy, Kumaraswamy said the BJP was not fostering division, but promoting unity within the country. "The BJP's goal is to strengthen its presence in Tamil Nadu, and the party is actively working to achieve this goal. Hence, some regional parties are criticizing the BJP." On Friday, the Union minister had planted a sapling on the Salem Steel Plant premises and toured the entire facility. He had also met the representatives of labour unions and promised to address their concerns.