Latest news with #Handri-Neeva
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
A.P. govt. urged to scrap the EPC model in irrigation contracts
VIJAYAWADA: Irrigation expert and policy analyst and Andhra Pradesh Samagra Adhyayana Vedika convener T. Lakshminarayana has urged the Andhra Pradesh government to abolish the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract system, calling it a deeply flawed mechanism that enables large-scale misappropriation of public funds under the pretext of irrigation development. it is a 'systematic route for institutionalised corruption' that is looting public wealth in the name of irrigation development, he said. In a press release on Wednesday (July 9, 2025), Mr. Lakshminarayana said the EPC model has its origins in the regime of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. The method was introduced under the justification that government engineering departments lacked the capacity to handle large-scale irrigation projects under the Jalayagnam initiative. However, over the time, the model had evolved into a tool that sidelined the State engineering departments and handed full control of design, material procurement, and construction to large contractors, allowing them to operate unchecked. 'EPC weakens role of dept. engineers' The EPC system weakened the role of the Irrigation Department's engineers and enabled a cartel of contractors to dominate public works. 'Many of these contractors started small and now control projects worth tens of thousands of crores. Some even made it into Parliament and state legislatures by pumping hundreds of crores into elections. Everyone knows it,' he stated. The EPC model, far from benefiting farmers, has only served to enrich big contractors and their political patrons. 'Projects have turned into money plants for ruling elites, while canals remain dry and farmers wait endlessly,' he said, pointing out that many mega projects have been stuck for decades despite ballooning budgets. He cited the Telugu Ganga, Handri-Neeva, Galeru-Nagari, Veligonda, and Vamsadhara Phase I & II among others as examples of this disastrous trend. Mr. Lakshminarayana cautioned that the proposed Polavaram–Banakacherla Lift Irrigation Scheme — designed under the same EPC framework— is deeply flawed and riddled with irregularities. 'Now we hear that the government is planning a hybrid model worth ₹81,900 crore involving State, central, and financial institution funding, with the contractor also investing. This raises even more red flags,' he said. Rumours of introducing PPP (Public-Private-People Partnership) in the irrigation sector are also doing the rounds, he added, calling it another layer of privatisation and potential exploitation.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CM dares KCR for a debate on river water issues in assembly
Upping the ante against the Bharat Rashtra Samithi president K. Chandrasekhar Rao for allegedly mortgaging the interests of Telangana to Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has challenged the Opposition leader for a debate in the legislative assembly on Polavaram- Banakacherla on Godavari proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government. The BRS president can chose the time and date of his choice and the government is prepared to convene a special session to exclusively discuss about the State's share of water in Godavari and Krishna rivers and the way the interests of farmers are mortgaged by the previous regime. 'I will come with proofs to nail who is the traitor of Telangana. Is Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao ready?' the Chief Minister said. Mr. Revanth Reddy utilised the celebrations organised to mark completion of crediting of over ₹9,000 crore into the accounts of 70 lakh farmers under Rythu Bandhu to launch a tirade against the BRS. The BRS leaders were trying to cast aspersions on the Congress government when their government had in fact compromised on the State's interests in lure of commissions. He took strong exceptions to the attempts of the main Opposition to provoke the people in the name of alleged injustice to the State in Godavari water. 'The Polavaram-Banakacherla project was conceptualised by the neighbouring State after Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao's claim in 2016 that 3,000 tmcft of Godavari water is going waste into the sea. The BRS president went on the assert that he will extend his cooperation in making Rayalaseema fertile agreeing for diversion of Godavari water through Handri-Neeva project by the neighbouring State,' Mr. Revanth Reddy said. He criticised the BRS leaders for trying to project an image that he (Mr. Revanth Reddy) allowed diversion of Godavari water becoming hand in glove with A.P. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. 'I did not betray the Congress like he (Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao) does after promising to merge his party with the Congress,' he alleged. The situation was no different when it came to Krishna waters. Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao, the former Chief Minister, agreed for Telangana's share of 299 tmcft out of the 811 tmcft allowing A.P. to draw 512 tmcft as its share. 'There is record of the Apex Council meeting where Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao has accepted the offer. I am ready to furnish the proof if he is willing to come face to face in the assembly,' Mr. Revanth Reddy said. Telangana, according to international norms, should get 555 tmcft of Krishna water as 66% of the area traversed by the river was in Telangana. The Chief Minister was particularly critical of the previous government for, what he called, swindling away huge public money in the name of Kaleshwaram project which suffered major damages within three years of construction. 'His (Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao's) family amassed thousands of crores in the name of Kaleshwaram while he mortgaged the interests of the State, especially of farmers, agreeing to lower share in river water,' he said. The BRS government had in fact shelved the pending projects like Nettempadu, Bhima, Kalwakurthy and others works which were started when the Congress was in power in the erstwhile united State. He also dismissed claims of the BRS leaders that the government did not mount pressure on the Centre against the projects proposed by the neighbouring A.P. government. 'I am fighting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Telangana's rights and am prepared to go to any extent in this regard,' he said recalling his warning to Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil that the State would approach the Supreme Court if permission were granted to Polavaram-Banakacherla project. Rajiv Yuva Vikasam Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has announced that the focus of his government will now be on effective implementation of Rajiv Yuva Vikasam, the scheme aimed at providing financial support to eligible youth for taking up self employment. He said after completion of Rythu Bharosa, crediting ₹9,000 crore into the accounts of over 70 lakh farmers in nine days, the government had resolved to finalise a concrete action plan in the interests of youth. Rajiv Yuva Vikasam was conceived after filling over 60,000 vacant posts in the government enabling more youth to get employment opportunities.
Hans India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Minister promises swift completion of Handri-Neeva works
Thamballapalle(annamayya dist): Minister for Irrigation Nimmala Rama Naidu said that transforming Rayalaseema into a region of prosperity is the top priority of the State government, and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan are working with that vision in mind. The minister was speaking after inspecting the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) works at Dommanabavi in Thamballapalle constituency of Annamayya district on Friday. Accompanied by local MLA Shahjahan Basha, irrigation officials, engineers, and TDP leaders, Rama Naidu performed a ceremonial ground-breaking (bhumi puja) for the pending works and issued directives to expedite the construction. Speaking to the media, the minister emphasised that the Chandrababu Naidu-led government is giving the highest importance to irrigation. 'We are committed to completing all irrigation projects in full scale to provide both drinking and irrigation water to the people,' he said. He pointed out that while the previous TDP government had completed nearly 90 percent of the Handri-Neeva works, the remaining 10 percent was left unfinished by the former administration, leading to dry canals and unused infrastructure. 'Due to negligence, not a drop of water is flowing in the canals today,' he remarked. The minister also criticised the past government's alleged mismanagement of sand at the summer storage points, which he said led to indiscriminate excavation and depletion. He directed officials to complete pending works at the earliest, particularly before the upcoming monsoon. The government plans to desilt tanks and restore their storage capacity to ensure rainwater can be effectively stored. 'As per the Chief Minister's instructions, we are focusing on delivering water to the last acre of farmland in Rayalaseema. This includes both drinking and irrigation water across the final reaches of the ayacut areas,' Rama Naidu added. Officials of the irrigation department including SEs, EEs, and AEs, along with public representatives, local TDP and Jana Sena leaders, and several party workers were present.
Hans India
09-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
All set for Naidu's visit to Uravakonda today
Anantapur: Minister for Finance, Planning, Commercial Taxes, and Legislative Affairs, Payyavula Keshav, has directed officials to expedite and strengthen arrangements for the upcoming visit of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. On Thursday, the Minister visited Chayapuram village in Vajrakarur mandal, Uravakonda constituency, where a helipad is being set up along with widening works of the HNSS canal and preparations for a public meeting. He reviewed the progress of the arrangements and inquired with officials about the precautions being taken to ensure smooth execution. Speaking on the occasion, Keshav said that Naidu is scheduled to visit on Friday to inspect the canal widening works under the Handri-Neeva project. He emphasized that all necessary preparations must be completed without any shortcomings or disruptions. He instructed officials to immediately complete the works related to the helipad, the HNSS canal, and the public stage setup. Special attention must be paid to ensuring public convenience and well-organized vehicle parking facilities. The minister insisted on completing all arrangements immediately to ensure the success of the Chief Minister's visit. Officials from the CMO, various district departments, and other stakeholders participated in the inspection.
