Hyderabad: Claiming the Congress govt has failed in handling a drought-like situation, power shortages and an irrigation crisis in Telangana, former minister T Harish Rao has said while there is a water shortage for drinking and irrigation purposes, govt is allocating water to liquor manufacturing units. He criticised the reported emphasis on ensuring adequate liquor production during Dasara while farmers and households were struggling for water.He said the water use notices were reportedly issued to institutions such as BDL, BHEL and IIIT Hyderabad, and asked govt to explain its overall water management plan. Harish Rao criticised the filing of non-bailable cases against 14 farmers who allegedly opened gates at Jurala to obtain water to save their drying crops.“If farmers try to save their crops, cases are filed against them. But when water is reportedly allocated to beer companies during a shortage, why is there no similar accountability?” he questioned. He demanded that govt review the cases against farmers and explain the decisions on water allocation.Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Monday, Harish Rao said the state govt had failed to prepare for the impact of El Niño despite receiving warnings over the past nine months. He alleged that the administration lacked a clear strategy to protect farmers, agricultural labourers and rural livelihoods from the worsening drought-like conditions.Harish Rao alleged that irregular power supply, with farmers reportedly receiving only six to seven hours of electricity in several areas, was crippling irrigation operations and causing crops to dry up. He claimed that despite water being available in the Krishna and Godavari rivers, key irrigation projects such as Devadula, Kannepalli and Kalwakurthy were not being operated to their full potential.“Whenever there is a shortage of coal, electricity or water, govt blames El Niño. What is the connection between El Niño and the failure to maintain coal stocks?” he asked.He also questioned why govt had not entered into power purchase agreements in advance, as other states had done. He alleged that Telangana was now struggling to procure electricity even at high prices. Harish Rao said the power crisis was affecting irrigation, creating a chain of problems for farmers.“There is no coal, so power generation suffers. Without power, irrigation pumps cannot run. Without water, crops dry up. This is the result of govt’s failure to plan,” he said.He demanded that govt set aside political differences, focus on farmers’ problems and take immediate steps to protect crops and rural livelihoods.
