BRS spreading false propaganda on safety of Jurala and Manjeera projects, says Irrigation Minister
HYDERABAD
Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday condemned the 'false propaganda and highly condemnable disinformation' being spread by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders over the condition of old irrigation projects such as Jurala and Manjeera.
He blamed the ten-year BRS rule for the issues being witnessed today in these projects, as their maintenance was neglected badly and they failed to carry out even routine maintenance.
Mr. Reddy announced that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had personally taken interest in safeguarding the Jurala dam by acting decisively to sanction ₹100 crore for an alternative bridge.
The Chief Minister's move is intended to reduce heavy vehicular traffic on the Jurala dam surface and prevent any long-term damage to the dam structure, he said.
'The Chief Minister is particular that Jurala must be protected and ensured the sanction of a new bridge,' the Irrigation Minister said.
He explained that allegations regarding ropes and stroke gates at Jurala are a non-issue, and the BRS leaders are trying to spread false propaganda.
The Minister reaffirmed that the Congress government is sincere and fully committed to properly maintaining all old projects, while building new ones for the long-term irrigation needs of Telangana.
'We are systematically restoring every project they ignored – Jurala, Manjeera, Nagarjuna Sagar, Sriramsagar, Kalwakurthy, Koilsagar, Bhima – with top priority for Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme,' he noted.
He pointed out that no minimum operation and maintenance was carried out during the BRS rule from 2014 to 2023. There was no routine desiltation, no sediment or vegetation removal and no upgrades, he stated.
'Jurala's capacity alone has dropped by nearly 20–25% due to silt accumulation,' he noted.
Meanwhile, Chief Engineer B. Venkata Ramana Reddy explained in detail the ongoing maintenance works at Jurala stating that all 62 gates were being regularly checked. Four rope replacements had already been completed, with another four scheduled soon, ensuring the dam's flood readiness by mid-July. 'Most of the 62 gates are in perfect working condition and there is no threat,' he clarified.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Minister instructs Karnataka's transport department to cancel auto permits, book cases for illegal fare charges
Bengaluru: Almost two weeks after public anguish over the exorbitant rise in auto fares following the ban on bike-taxi operations in the state, transport minister Ramalinga Reddy Saturday instructed the transport commissioner to take action against ride-hailing mobile apps and regular autos if they are found charging illegal fares. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Instructions have been given to transport department officials to cancel auto permits and book cases for illegal fare charges. Interestingly, the direction came from the minister hours after #stepdowntransportminister was trending on social media platform X over the ban on bike taxis. Ramalinga Reddy told TOI he himself has received complaints from the public over auto drivers and aggregators charging exorbitant fares. The letter addressed to the transport commissioner states that on June 18, 2025, the ride-hailing mobile app Rapido was charging Rs 100.9 per km. "This kind of daylight robbery is unpardonable and strict action should be taken," the letter states. Reddy cited ride-hailing apps as the reason for exorbitant fares being charged. "A majority of auto drivers have attached their vehicles with ride-hailing apps. These apps, instead of following fare rules of the govt, are charging higher auto fares and other fees," he said, adding: "Enforcement staff will identify irregularities and take action. No auto drivers should collect more fare from passenger." On the trending hashtag, the minister said, "We've acted against bike-taxi operations as per the high court order. On social media, people do make comments about the decision taken by authorities, I don't have much to say about that. Earlier, bike-taxi operations were illegally operated. It is to say that the state govt does not support illegal operations." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Following the letter from the minister, transport commissioner Yogeesh AM told TOI that enforcement officials have been asked to act on the illegal collection of fares. "When customers street hail an auto, the driver should charge the fare as fixed by the regional transport authority. Ride-hailing apps can charge a 10% service tax in addition to the fares fixed by RTA. Other fees and charges on customers are illegal. " As per the last revision in 2022, RTA has fixed Rs 30 for the first 2km and Rs 15 per km thereafter Multiple fees make commuting expensive Ever since bike-taxis were banned in the city, mobile apps and auto drivers have been fleecing the general public without any regard for rules. In addition to paying a digital tip to lure auto drivers to accept the booking, the customers are forced to pay a congestion charge, pick-up fee, driver additional fee, and others. The digital tip just to book an auto ranges from Rs 10 to Rs 100. If a customer agrees to pay a lesser amount of tip, then a message pops up suggesting more tip to get an auto booked. Urban mobility expert Satya Arikutharam said, "It is basically unethical to force a passenger to pay a certain amount of tip while booking an auto. Usually, a customer pays the tip voluntarily after the delivery of the service; this is the custom everybody is accustomed to. What is happening here in the name of innovation is that aggregators are trying to become cheeky and creative. When I spoke to the drivers, they were unaware that aggregators are asking for the tip in their name. Union minister Pralhad Joshi has referred the case of advancing tipping to central consumer protection authority (CCPA) for investigation." He added aggregators not complying with the high court orders on charging fares for mobile-app-based services is a matter of concern.
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
Telangana: Renaming Annapurna canteens absolutely ridiculous, shameful, says KTR
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 28 (ANI): Former Minister and BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) slammed the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government in Telangana over its move to rename Annapurna Canteens as Indiramma Canteens. The Annapurna Canteen Scheme, launched by the previous Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, provided hot, hygienic, and nutritious meals for just Rs 5 to the poor, daily wage workers, and labourers in urban regions of Telangana. 'Mr. Revant Reddy, If you want to show your subservience to Delhi bosses, why don't you change your own name to Rajiv or Jawahar? Renaming Annapurna canteens is absolutely ridiculous and shameful. We shall undo all of these senseless actions in 2028 when BRS is back at the helm of the state, ' KTR posted on the social media platform X on Saturday. Earlier in the day, BRS Party corporators staged a protest at the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) office in Hyderabad, condemning the GHMC standing committee decision to change the Annapurna canteen's name to Indira Canteen. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National spokesperson NV Subhash also criticised the move, calling it a 'publicity stunt' aimed at impressing the Gandhi family. He demanded that the state government roll back the decision and suggested it was a 'return gift' to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on the 50th anniversary of the Emergency. 'The BJP demands that the Congress government in Telangana roll back the names from Indira canteens to Annapurna canteens. What is the reason for the Congress government to rename the canteen, which is being run with funds from the state and GHMC, where people are fed for only Rs 5? Is it a return gift to Indira Gandhi on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the emergency... This is nothing but a publicity stunt where the CM Revanth Reddy govt chooses to impress the Gandhi family,' Subhash told ANI. BRS leader Krishank also slammed the government, stating that it should focus on fulfilling promises rather than changing names. He criticised the Congress government under Revanth Reddy for failing to bring in new schemes and pointed out that the name change was purely election-driven. 'The Congress government under CM Revanth Reddy's rule has done nothing for Hyderabad. Earlier, the KSR government had a Rs 5 Annapurna canteen for the poor, but now, as elections are approaching, Revanth Reddy's government has changed its name from Annapurna canteen to Indira Gandhi canteen. Why be a name changer, bring in new policies, and try to fulfil your 420 promises and guarantees that you have given? But the Congress government is all about changing names... This is really shameful... Revanth Reddy should stop pleasing the Gandhi family, stop being a Gulam to the Gandhi family, and instead try to please the voters who have voted for you', BRS leader Krishank said. Meanwhile, Congress leader Hanumantha Rao defended the decision, praising Indira Gandhi's contributions to the poor. He argued that the renaming was a fitting tribute to the former Prime Minister. Speaking to ANI, Rao said, 'The BRS government, under Annapurna Canteens, provided Rs 5 meals. Today, under the leadership of Revanth Reddy, Indiramma Canteens provide meals at Rs 5. They have taken this name because Indira Gandhi brought a revolution; she implemented land ceiling, nationalised banks, and ensured insurance for land labourers. Revanth Reddy's Indiramma Canteen is a fitting tribute. Every poor person who eats that Rs 5 meal should remember Indira Gandhi, as the name is suitable. She brought a revolution in the lives of the poor. By adding her name, everyone will know about her work for the poor. The name for the canteens is fitting, and it should be maintained. Every poor person should eat the Rs 5 meal and remember Indira Gandhi forever. This initiative is good, and I appreciate Revanth Reddy.' (ANI)
The Print
5 hours ago
- The Print
T'gana would make efforts to create jobs by establishing IT firms in land parcel next to UoH: CM
A row had erupted over tree felling on the 400-acre land in April this year. The Supreme Court had then rapped the Telangana government over its rushed action to fell trees on the land parcel and directed it to submit a specific plan to restore the 100 acres of deforested land. He also said the government will fight in the courts to reclaim the land. Hyderabad, Jun 28 (PTI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday said the state government would make efforts to generate lakhs of jobs by establishing IT companies on the 400-acre land parcel next to the University of Hyderabad here. Speaking after inaugurating a flyover here, Reddy, in a veiled attack on opposition BRS, said hurdles have been created to the state government's effort to generate five lakh jobs by developing 400 acres beside the Gachibowli stadium (adjacent to University of Hyderabad) and attracting global investments. Such hurdles are only temporary, he said. The land parcel was allocated to some private persons in 2002-03 and the state government pursued the matter in Supreme Court in 2024 and got it back for the state government, he said. 'The government would not go back because some caused hurdles. Our government will make an effort not only to set up IT companies on a large scale but to generate lakhs of jobs by getting back that land by fighting for justice not only in legislative bodies but (also) in courts,' he said. Though people elected the Congress government for five years, some are trying to stall development in the city by filing litigation in courts against the government and 'throwing mud' at those who are working for development, he said. He said lakhs of jobs have been created following the development of the Financial District and Knowledge Park in the IT hub of the city. Highlighting pollution in Delhi and the civic problems in cities, including Bengaluru and Chennai, he said Telangana should plan for addressing pollution and others in Hyderabad. The high levels of pollution in Delhi arose as rulers in the past did not make effective plans, he said. 'A situation arose in Delhi where it is difficult to live. The situation of people not being able to live in the national capital of such a big country cropped up as the then rulers did not make proper plans in Delhi,' he said. Talking about the measures taken to check pollution in Hyderabad, the CM said the government has made EV vehicles tax-free in the city. 'That's why, every EV vehicle purchased in the city, you will not have tax of even one rupee,' he said. The chief minister said the state government would request Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is visiting Telangana on Sunday, to grant permission to projects pending with the Centre for approvals, including Metro Rail – Phase 2, Musi Rejuvenation and Regional Ring Road (RRR) projects. The CM criticised Union Minister and state BJP president G Kishan Reddy for not responding to pleas made by him repeatedly for the approval of the pending projects by the Centre. Reddy said he also visited Kishan Reddy's residence in Delhi with the requests, but they yielded no results. The CM questioned the NDA government at the Centre for not approving the projects proposed by the Telangana government. The Centre granted permissions to the Sabarmati riverfront in Gujarat, Yamuna cleaning in Delhi and Namami Gange in Uttar Pradesh but did not approve funds for the Musi project in Hyderabad, he said. The Centre has sanctioned metro rail projects in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, but not for the expansion of the Hyderabad metro rail, he said. 'Why this discrimination,' he asked. PTI SJR SJR KH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
