File Photo: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu
Communist Party of India (Marxist) State executive committee member Narayana today accused that the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister is misguiding people by propagating false facts about irrigation projects in the state.
Mr Narayana, at a press conference in Kadapa, demanded from the government to allocate more funds for completion of the ongoing irrigation projects in the drought-prone Ralayaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.
He also demanded that the water from river Godavari should be supplied to Nagarjunasagar project instead to Prakasam barrage in the state.
"The N Chandrababu Naidu government propagated false facts about Polavaram and Pattiseema (irrigation) projects that Godavari water can be diverted to Ralayaseema through these two projects, which is practically not possible," he said.
"From Prakasham barrage, about 200 TMC water goes into Bay of Bengal every year. Government is spending thousands of crores of rupees to bring water through Pattiseema and Polavaram to Prakasam barrage for increasing flows to sea (which will benefit Rayalaseema as government proposes)," he said.
The leader said even if government get 80 TMC from Polavaram, AP will get meagre of 20 to 25 TMC as its share and asked how the government can resolve Rayalaseema water crisis.
If at the government is committed to supply water to the drought region, it has to supply water from Godavari to Nagarjunasagar project initially and then think about giving water to Rayalaseema through Srisailam dam, Narayana said.
"The chief minister has so far spent Rs 1,300 crore on Pattiseema and another Rs 1,300 crore on festival Godavari Puskaram, but allocated just Rs 408 crore to ongoing projects, which reflects his commitment towards Rayalaseema," he said.
He also accused the opposition YSR Congress Party of playing "a dual role" and said it lacks political will to resolve issues pertaining to Rayalaseema.