Latest news with #G-B
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
KCR's policy allowed Andhra Pradesh to pursue G-B project: TPCC chief
HYDERABAD: TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud on Thursday alleged that former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and former minister T Harish Rao pursued a lopsided policy during the BRS regime, which allowed the Andhra Pradesh government to go ahead with the Godavari-Banakacherla (G-B) project, harming Telangana's interests. Addressing the media, Mahesh Goud alleged that KCR, during a visit to former minister RK Roja's residence in AP, had promised to turn Rayalaseema into 'Ratanalaseema' while compromising Telangana's share in Godavari waters. The TPCC chief also targeted the BJP for not appointing a BC leader as its state president, asserting that 'only the Congress consistently implements social justice nationwide.' He mocked Union minister G Kishan Reddy's 'fevicol bond' with KCR and credited CM Revanth Reddy's efforts for the Centre's rejection of the plea by AP for Terms of Reference (ToR) for environmental impact assessment for the Banakacherla project. When asked about Jadcherla MLA Janampalli Anirudh Reddy's claim that 'Chandrababu Naidu's coverts exist in Telangana,' the TPCC chief said the party's Disciplinary Action Committee will look into the issue. The TPCC chief, meanwhile, slammed BRS MLC K Kavitha for writing to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on BC reservations, questioning when she began speaking for Backward Classes. 'She never raised her voice for BCs during the 10-year rule of BRS,' he said. He further reminded her that it was her father and former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao who had reduced BC reservations in local bodies. 'Why was she silent then? Why this sudden concern for BCs now?' he asked.
Express Tribune
03-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
PM reaffirms Pakistan's pledge to eliminate polio
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed on Thursday Pakistan's commitment to eradicating polio, urging accelerated efforts and stronger coordination among national, regional and international partners. Chairing a meeting of the Anti-Polio Task Force in Islamabad, the prime minister said the government remains determined to protect every child in the country from the disease. 'We are committed to protect every child in Pakistan from this crippling disease and achieve a polio-free Pakistan,' he said. Shehbaz stressed the need for complete dedication to ensure that all children across Pakistan receive multiple doses of the polio vaccine. He also highlighted the importance of addressing both human transmission and the environmental presence of the virus. Acknowledging the progress made so far, the prime minister praised the dedication of frontline health workers, the contributions of provincial and regional governments and the role of law enforcement agencies in supporting the anti-polio campaign. Read: PM takes notice of G-B polio case He expressed particular gratitude to Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman for his support of Pakistan's polio eradication efforts. He also commended the vital contributions of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and its Global Development Program, led by Dr Christopher Elias, along with the continued engagement of the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Rotary International, and KS Relief. The meeting was informed that district-specific polio campaigns have been designed for southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to address localised challenges more effectively. In addition to targeting new polio cases among children, these campaigns also aim to eliminate the virus from the environment. The Islamabad meeting was attended by senior government officials and global health leaders, Chief Secretaries from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad also took part in the session. Shehbaz reiterated that the safety of polio workers is a top priority, and directed all stakeholders to intensify their collective efforts to eliminate the disease completely. He concluded by stating that with firm political will and international cooperation, the goal of a polio-free Pakistan is within reach. Earlier, a polio case in North Waziristan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was reported, where a 19-month-old boy tested positive, bringing the country's total to 14 cases in 2025. The case, confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad, is the eighth reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with others recorded in Sindh (4), Punjab (1), and Gilgit-Baltistan (1). Pakistan saw its highest spike in the past decade in 2019, with 147 cases nationwide, before cases dropped sharply in 2021. However, a resurgence in 2024, particularly in Sindh and Balochistan, reinforced the call for continuous, targeted anti-polio strategies.
New Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
MoEF returning Andhra Pradesh's G-B proposal a huge victory for Telangana, says Uttam
HYDERABAD: Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday described the decision of the Expert Appraisal Committee of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to return a proposal by Andhra Pradesh on the Banakacherla link project as a 'huge victory for Telangana'. Uttam made a detailed PowerPoint presentation on 'The Water Issues of Telangana in Godavari and Krishna River Basins' at Praja Bhavan on Tuesday. During his presentation, he said that the Congress government will not compromise on Telangana's rightful share of waters in the Godavari and Krishna rivers. He said the previous BRS regime had mortgaged Telangana's interests and allowed Andhra Pradesh to push ahead with schemes like the Godavari-Banakacherla (G-B) link project because of its 'compromised approach'. The Irrigation minister further said that the Congress government cited multiple legal violations, including disregard for the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) award, which allocated flood and surplus waters among co-basin states. He pointed out that the Environmental Clearance (EC) for Polavaram was granted in 2005 for a different project scope, and any large-scale diversion like the G-B project would require fresh environmental assessment under EIA rules. 'We made it crystal clear — Telangana will not allow its hard-earned and historically legitimate rights to be usurped,' he said.
New Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
If Godavari-Banakacherla project is okayed, people won't forgive BJP: Minister Venkat Reddy
NALGONDA: Stating that the Godavari-Banakacherla project, proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government, will not be acceptable under any circumstances, Roads & Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Thursday warned that if the neighbouring state is allowed to go ahead with the project, the people of Telangana would not forgive the BJP. Speaking to reporters here, the minister said that the minutes of the Cabinet meeting, which discussed the G-B project, would be sent to the Centre on Friday. He also said that there will be a PowerPoint presentation on the project at Praja Bhavan on June 30. The minister also warned that there would be no question of the state government remaining silent if the Centre fails to grant permission for Telangana's irrigation projects. 'As the party that championed the formation of Telangana, the Congress would fight for the state's interests,' he said. Referring to the phone-tapping case, Venkat Reddy condemned it as a despicable crime. Questioning the integrity of officials, he said: 'Even if the then CM instructed them to tap phones, the officials should have refused to commit such an unethical act.' Seeks farmers cooperation Venkat Reddy, meanwhile, said that the government was ready to release funds for the Brahmana Vellemla Reservoir under the Udayasamudram Lift Irrigation Scheme if the remaining land acquisition is completed swiftly. He urged farmers to cooperate by handing over their lands, which would enable the government to accelerate canal works, complete the project and provide irrigation to one lakh acres. On Thursday, the minister made a surprise inspection at the Brahmana Vellemla Reservoir site. It's worth mentioning here that this reservoir was inaugurated on December 7 last year and subsequently, irrigation water was also supplied to the farmlands under the reservoir. On Wednesday, one pump was switched on, followed by another on Thursday, to fill the reservoir with water from Panagal Udayasamudram. The reservoir is expected to be fully filled within two days, with approximately 960 cusecs of water flowing in. Speaking with farmers, the minister reiterated that the government was committed to providing irrigation to one lakh acres. He, however, noted that land acquisition for another 1,800 acres is still pending. 'If these lands are handed over to the government, canal excavation can be expedited, thus achieving the project's objective,' he added.
New Indian Express
21-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Revanth ready to invite Naidu for talks on Telangana-Andhra water disputes
HYDERABAD: Asserting that his government does not rake up controversies but strives to address all issues, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday said that he was ready to invite his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu to initiate a dialogue on interstate water disputes, including the proposed Godavari-Banakacherla project, subject to Cabinet decision. During an informal chat with reporters in Delhi, the chief minister said that he would hold a Cabinet meeting on June 23 to discuss the possibilities of initiating a dialogue with Andhra Pradesh to protect the water rights of Telangana. He made it clear that his government prefers to maintain healthy relations with sibling state of Andhra Pradesh as it does with Karnataka. The CM also noted that Telangana's approval is a must in case there are any changes in the Polavaram project. He, however, said that the Andhra Pradesh state led by N Chandrababu Naidu should also support Telangana's irrigation project, stating that all the projects proposed on Godavari projects to utilise 968 tmc are still pending with the Centre. Objecting to the Centre acting just on the 'feasibility report', the CM said that it is unjustifiable to seek permission for the Godavari-Banakacherla (G-B) project without approvals from the Technical Committee, Committee of Group of Officers, and Apex Council, and that too without taking Telangana into confidence.
