Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao today warned of serious action against the officials for sluggish pace of land acquisition and project works.
He held a review meeting on irrigation projects at Warangal Collector office and asked the officials to avoid negligence and complete the works meeting deadline. The minister also expressed displeasure at the officials for lacking seriousness in the land acquisition and other works for two years while the government wants it on priority basis.
Construction of barrage at Tupakulagudem should be completed in two years by taking up works after Godavari flood flow intensity comes down. For this land needs to be acquired under Devadula project on war-footing to get 50 tmc waters he said. Irrigation officials should monitor the works from Tahasildar offices for timely completion of land acquisition for the projects.
Stating that Telangana was achieved for irrigation waters and the government is firm to catch hold of every drop of water, Harish Rao said Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao allotted Rs 25000 acres for irrigation every year and the Centre is also coming forward to assist.
The minister asked the MLAs to monitor the works in coordination with Revenue and Irrigation officials. Assigned lands acquired from SCs, STs and BCs should be transferred onto the existing farmers and suitable compensation be given to the victims after acquisition. Under SRSP phase two it was planned to irrigate 45000 acres in Palakurty constituency and acquisition of 5000 more acres will help irrigate 12000 acres in addition to digging up of canals to irrigate 33000 acres.(NSS)