PNS|New Delhi
Senior BRS MLA Harish Rao lashed out at both the Centre and the Telangana Congress Government for failing to act, when Andhra Pradesh is moving ahead with plans to divert Godavari waters through the Banakacharla Project.
In a strongly worded statement released on Saturday, Harish accused the Centre of enabling AP’s “water loot” while the Telangana Government remains inactive.
He questioned the silence of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and his Cabinet colleagues as AP plans to construct the Rs 80,000 crore Banakacharla Project without the mandatory approvals from the River Management Boards.
“This project, being pushed without Krishna or Godavari Board clearances, is a direct violation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act,” Harish stated.
He expressed outrage that the BJP-led Centre had granted 50 per cent financial assistance for the project and permitted the remaining amount to be raised through borrowings beyond FRBM limits. “This is nothing but betrayal,” Harish said.
“When Telangana took a loan for the Kaleshwaram Project through the Power Finance Corporation, it was brought under FRBM recovery. But for Banakacharla, exceptions have been made,” Harish said.
Harish accused the Centre of discriminating against Telangana. “This is grossly unfair. On the one hand, you impose restrictions on Telangana projects. On the other hand, you shower funds on AP,” he said.
He questioned the silence of Telangana’s representatives in Delhi. “What’s the use of having two Union Ministers, eight BJP MPs, and eight Congress MPs from Telangana if not one can raise their voice when the state’s water rights are being trampled upon?” he asked.
