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BRS Slams Congress and BJP MPs Over National Project Status for PRLIS

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao has strongly criticised the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding their stance on granting national project status to the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS). In a public statement, he asserted that the eight Lok Sabha members from each party failed to protect the interests of Telangana by maintaining silence during parliamentary discussions on the project.

What Happened

In an official statement released on Tuesday, K.T. Rama Rao expressed disappointment over the lack of support from Congress and BJP Lok Sabha members when the matter of national project status for PRLIS was raised in Parliament. He noted that the Central government informed Parliament that it would not grant national project status to PRLIS, despite according that recognition to other initiatives including the Ken-Betwa, Polavaram, and Upper Bhadra projects.

Rama Rao alleged that Congress had historically disadvantaged Telangana by according national status exclusively to Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram project under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act during state bifurcation, without extending similar status to any project in Telangana. He further argued that local MPs failed to challenge the BJP leadership regarding prior commitments made in the combined Mahabubnagar district (Palamuru) concerning national status for the scheme.

Addressing administrative actions, the BRS leader characterised the performance of a Varuna Yagam as an effort to divert public attention. He stated that ritual measures would not yield outcomes without operational steps, urging the government to activate the Narlapur pump house under PRLIS and the Kannepalli pump house under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) to draw floodwaters from the Krishna and Godavari rivers to replenish reservoirs and irrigation tanks during an El Niño year.

Furthermore, Rama Rao reiterated a demand to boycott the upcoming Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) meeting if the proposed cancellation of approvals for seven Telangana projects remains listed on its agenda, warning that BRS would initiate a statewide water agitation called Jala Udyamam to defend the state’s irrigation rights.

Key Highlights

  • BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao criticised the 16 Lok Sabha MPs from Congress and BJP (eight each) for failing to speak in favour of PRLIS.
  • The Centre informed Parliament that PRLIS is not being accorded national project status, whereas Ken-Betwa, Polavaram, and Upper Bhadra have received it.
  • Rama Rao called for the activation of Narlapur and Kannepalli pump houses to lift floodwaters from Krishna and Godavari rivers.
  • The BRS demanded a boycott of the GRMB meeting if agenda items proposing the cancellation of clearances for seven Telangana projects are not removed.
  • A warning was issued regarding the launch of a ‘Jala Udyamam’ movement to safeguard state irrigation rights.

Why This Matters

The allocation of national project status affects Central backing and recognition for major river water initiatives in Telangana. With the Central government confirming that PRLIS has not been granted this designation, debate has intensified regarding historical commitments, inter-state project parity, and the management of Krishna and Godavari river resources to secure water for crops.

What to Watch Next

Attention turns to whether the Godavari River Management Board modifies its agenda regarding the approvals of seven Telangana projects, and whether the BRS moves forward with its proposed Jala Udyamam agitation across the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did BRS criticise Congress and BJP MPs?

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao stated that the eight Lok Sabha MPs from Congress and eight from the BJP remained silent when the issue of granting national project status to the PRLIS was raised in Parliament.

Which projects were granted national status according to the statement?

According to the statement citing Central responses in Parliament, national project status was given to the Ken-Betwa, Polavaram, and Upper Bhadra projects, while it was denied to PRLIS.

What condition has BRS set regarding the GRMB meeting?

BRS has demanded a boycott of the Godavari River Management Board meeting unless the proposed cancellation of approvals for seven Telangana projects is removed from the agenda, warning of a ‘Jala Udyamam’ protest if it remains.

Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.