Latest news with #Jalayagnam
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.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Rich tributes paid to YSR
Adilabad: Telangana Kisan Congress State General Secretary Boranchu Srikanth Reddy stated that former chief minister, late Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who remains etched in the hearts of the people, can never be forgotten. The birth anniversary celebrations of the former Chief Minister of the undivided Andhra Pradesh, were held in a grand manner on Tuesday in Mavala. During the event, Srikanth Reddy, along with Congress workers, offered floral tributes to YSR's portrait and chanted slogans praising his contributions. In his remarks, he hailed Dr. YSR as a visionary who introduced numerous welfare schemes and became a guiding force for social justice. He emphasized that the leader worked with the core principle of uplifting the poor and focusing on farmers' welfare, aiming for the progress of united Andhra Pradesh. Schemes such as free electricity for farmers, fee reimbursement for students, free medical treatment for the underprivileged through Aarogyasri, 108 emergency services, rice at Rs 2 per kilo, and the Jalayagnam irrigation initiative earned him a permanent place in people's hearts. Srikanth Reddy urged the youth to take inspiration from YSR and actively participate in politics.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Will quit politics if CM Revanth Reddy proves KLIS did not get cabinet nod, says BJP MP Eatala Rajender; demands CBI probe, slams Congress over HYDRAA
BJP MP Eatala Rajender HYDERABAD: BJP MP and former minister Eatala Rajender said he is willing to retire from politics if chief minister A Revanth Reddy can prove that the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project was initiated without cabinet approval during the former BRS regime. Speaking at a press conference at the state BJP headquarters, Eatala said he was making the statement not as a BJP leader, but as a former minister who was part of the decision-making apparatus. "No major project like Kaleshwaram can move forward without cabinet clearance," he asserted, citing former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao's own principle that even minor departmental matters required cabinet discussion. "If my claim is proven false, I will step away from politics," he said, throwing the gauntlet at the Congress govt. Eatala reminded that Kaleshwaram evolved from the Congress-era Pranahita-Chevella project, which was part of the Jalayagnam scheme. "Only three new components-Annaram, Sundilla, and Medigadda-were added to it," he said, countering the narrative that the BRS launched an entirely new project. He voiced skepticism about the implementation of the Kaleshwaram commission report, and demanded a CBI probe into alleged corruption in the project. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트, 지금 시작하세요 [자세히 보기] 임플란트 더 알아보기 Undo "If the Congress is serious about action, let it prove it by moving forward on the report," he said, calling attention to urgent concerns like Medigadda barrage's structural issues and the need to restore water flow. Clarifying his party's stand, he said, "The BJP is not against irrigation or infrastructure projects. What we oppose is their misuse for financial exploitation." As part of the BJP's campaign marking Prime Minister Modi's 11 years in office, Eatala announced a public meeting in Malkajgiri on June 22. An exhibition on Modi's governance, along with a showcase of development work in Malkajgiri over the past year, will begin this Friday. Union ministers Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay, and Telangana BJP in-charge Sunil Bansal are expected to attend. Eatala also launched a sharp attack on the Congress govt in the state, saying, "This is not a govt that builds homes-it demolishes them. Under the guise of HYDRAA, they are spreading fear among the poor." He compared the political shift from BRS to Congress as "jumping from the frying pan into the fire."
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BRS questions rationale behind escalating cost of Young India schools from ₹80-₹200 crore
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has demanded that the State Government explain its policy on the proposed Young India Integrated Schools and the timeline for their establishment, alleging it is neglecting the remaining schools in the name of the proposed ones. Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, party legislators P. Sabitha Indra Reddy and S. Vanidevi said over 6,650 students of residential schools secured admission into IITs, NITs, IIMs, IIITs, and medical colleges during the last 10 years and the credit goes to the BRS government. Even Harvard University had taken up a case study on these residential schools following their tremendous success in empowering students from the marginalised sections. They questioned the rationale in repeatedly increasing the cost of integrated schools starting with ₹80 crore per school to ₹100 crore, ₹125 crore and now ₹200 crore, without even constructing one school so far and without specifying the plans. Ms. Sabitha Indra Reddy pointed out that the Congress Government had initially stated that it would allocate ₹11,000 crore for integrated schools in the budget but the actual allocation was only ₹4,000 crore. Meanwhile, former minister T. Harish Rao questioned the government's intentions for increasing the cost of integrated schools by nearly three times without even taking up the work. He stated that whether it was Jalayagnam or integrated schools, the modus operandi of Congress Governments was the same — to bag commissions by escalating the cost.
