Dr. Palla Rajeshwar Reddy Accuses Congress Government of Neglecting Farmers, Questions Irrigation Management
THE JOURNALIST POST NEWS DESK
HYDERABAD | July 7, 2026
Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, MLA and senior leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), on Tuesday accused the Telangana Government of failing to respond adequately to the emerging drought-like conditions despite repeated warnings about the impact of El Niño. Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, he alleged that the government had neither formulated contingency plans nor taken timely measures to safeguard farmers.
Palla Rajeshwar Reddy claimed that rainfall deficiency currently prevails in 246 mandals across Telangana and alleged that reservoirs, tanks, and groundwater sources have reached critically low levels. He said the Agriculture and Irrigation Ministers had not convened a single comprehensive review meeting to address the situation.
According to the BRS leader, the delay has severely affected the agricultural season. He stated that paddy nurseries should ideally be sown during the Arudra Karte period and warned that missing this window could adversely affect crop production. He further claimed that crops such as cotton, red gram, and maize have failed to germinate in several areas due to inadequate rainfall.
Demands Immediate Water Lifting
Palla Rajeshwar Reddy alleged that the government was deliberately avoiding lifting water from the Kannepalli Pump House despite having the technical capability to do so. He also questioned why water from the Pranahita River was not being utilised to fill reservoirs and asked why pumping operations were not being undertaken from Kannepalli and Sammakka Sagar.
He urged the government to immediately activate the Kannepalli pump motors, stating that the lifted water could be supplied to several regions, including Hyderabad and Kodad.
Criticism of Government and Irrigation Policy
The BRS MLA criticised Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, alleging that the minister had focused on political statements rather than addressing farmers’ concerns.
He also alleged that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was allowing irrigation decisions to be influenced by N. Chandrababu Naidu through Irrigation Advisor Adityanath Das.
Palla Rajeshwar Reddy further alleged that certain ministers were ignoring Telangana’s interests and called on the government to consult irrigation experts and retired engineers before taking decisions affecting major irrigation projects.
Defends Kaleshwaram Project
The BRS leader defended the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, asserting that it played a key role in achieving record food grain production in Telangana.
He claimed that before 2014, during the Congress government’s tenure, the State produced around 24 lakh metric tonnes of food grains, while irrigation expansion under former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao significantly boosted agricultural output.
He also alleged that attempts were being made to weaken irrigation infrastructure by dredging sand near the Annaram and Sundilla barrages and demanded that such activities be stopped immediately.
Questioning why BRS leaders were prevented from visiting the Kannepalli Pump House, Palla Rajeshwar Reddy accused the government of creating obstacles to conceal the actual condition of irrigation infrastructure.
The press conference was also attended by BRS leaders Upendra Chari and Vidyasagar.
