Wanaparthy Hans news service

Formerminister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy, accompanied by former MLAs Ala Venkateswar Reddy and Beeram Harshavardhan Reddy, on Wednesday led a flash protest at the Irrigation CE’s office, demanding water from the KLI scheme and Jurala to support farmers. A representation was submitted to Deputy CE Venkat Reddy.

Singireddy criticised the government as ‘incompetent’ that fails to provide water despite having the means to do so. He said in just three years, CM Revanth has turned Palamuru into a drought-stricken district. Under the Congress rule, crops are withering and transformers are exploding.

Farmers Raghupati Reddy, Indrayya Sagar, Nagi Reddy, Edhanna, Konda Reddy and Sridhar Reddy expressed their deep anguish, highlighting the severe hardships currently faced by the farming community.

Singireddy pointed out that even though 50 tmcft is available at the Srisailam reservoir, the KLI [system remains unutilised], farmers are suffering immensely due to the incompetence of the government, which has failed to keep the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme pumps running continuously.

He stated that during ex-CM KCR’s tenure, streams and tanks were kept overflowing even in peak summer; in contrast, the current administration’s incompetence and negligence have allowed “Andhra rulers” to siphon off water. He demanded the KLI scheme pumps be operated without interruption, as not a single drop reached any village in Peddamandadi mandal.

He urged the government to support farmers who have sown dry-land crops under the KLI project by providing them water. Water should be released through the right and left canals of the Jurala project. The Palamuru-Rangareddy lift pumps must be operated to fill the Edula and Karvena reservoirs with 5 tmcft. He demanded removal of three bunds/barriers to ensure water reaches farmers.