Bhadradri Kothagudem, Oct.22 : CPI (M) District Secretary Macha Venkateswarlu slammed the state government for its alleged apathy in providing irrigation water to farmers in Bhadradri Kothagudem district through the Seetharama Lift Irrigation Project. Addressing a press conference at Manchikanti Bhavan in Kothagudem on Thursday, he criticized recent remarks made by Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao during a project inspection, asserting that official statements are detrimental to local farming communities and demanding accountability on pre-poll irrigation guarantees.
Venkateswarlu pointed out that agricultural constituencies including Yellandu, Kothagudem, Pinapaka, and Bhadrachalam continue to suffer due to a lack of dependable irrigation infrastructure. He questioned the administration’s planning, asking why water is being diverted toward Lanka Sagar without providing clarity on the development and modernization of local water bodies like Kinnerasani and Rollapadu reservoirs. Furthermore, he criticized the lack of definitive action and transparent fund allocations for the completion of the Seethamma Sagar multi-purpose project.
The CPM leader demanded that the government formulate a comprehensive action plan to interlink local tanks and ensure equitable water distribution across all constituencies in the district. Warning of intensified state-wide agitations if irrigation issues are left unaddressed, he called upon farmers to unite and fight for their rights. CPM State Committee Member A.J. Ramesh, and district secretariat members Annavarapu Satyanarayana, Kolagani Brahmachari, and Repakula Srinivas participated in the meeting.
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