CityLightBuzz: Former Telangana Minister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy strongly criticized the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government, alleging that it has neglected key irrigation projects and failed to address the development needs of the Palamuru region. Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, Niranjan Reddy accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of adopting an arrogant approach and ignoring the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project. He said the Chief Minister had not conducted a review of the project for nearly two-and-a-half years. The former minister stated that the Bhima and Koilsagar irrigation projects were completed during the BRS government and claimed that while the Congress and TDP governments together spent around ₹2,600 crore on the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme over 26 years, the BRS government ensured irrigation to nearly 4.5 lakh acres through the project. He alleged that Palamuru district had suffered for decades during the united Andhra Pradesh era due to inadequate allocation of Krishna River waters and claimed that the BRS government under former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) provided irrigation to nearly 10 lakh acres in the district.
Niranjan Reddy said the BRS government initiated the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project with a water source at Srisailam, completed land acquisition for nearly 27,000 acres, and left only about 160 acres pending. He added that five major reservoirs—Narlapur, Yedula, Vattem, Karivena, and Uddandapur—were constructed under the project.
He alleged that Congress leaders had repeatedly created hurdles for the project and demanded that the state government secure approval for 40 TMC of water for the Dindi Project, while asserting that Telangana requires 588 TMC of Krishna River water.
The former minister also said that water could be lifted through the Kannepalli Pump House and warned that failure to utilize the available infrastructure would once again force people from Palamuru to migrate in search of livelihoods.
Criticizing Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, Niranjan Reddy alleged that he had never effectively raised Telangana’s concerns during the united state period. He further claimed that the Congress government has failed to secure adequate financial support for Telangana.
On education, Niranjan Reddy accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of making derogatory remarks about government school teachers and students. He claimed that significant reforms in the education sector, including the expansion of Gurukul schools, medical colleges, engineering colleges, and polytechnic institutions in Mahabubnagar district, were implemented during the BRS government.
He also asserted that the breakfast scheme for government school students was introduced during the previous BRS administration and alleged that the current government has delayed payments for works completed under the Mana Ooru Mana Badi programme due to political reasons.
Niranjan Reddy urged the Chief Minister to maintain dignity in his public speeches, especially while addressing students and educational issues, stating that leaders should set a positive example for future generations through responsible language.
BRS leaders K. Kishore Goud, Allipuram Venkateshwar Reddy, and Gautham Prasad were also present at the press conference.
