TS seeks NRI help in restoration of water bodies

Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao on Sunday exhorted Telangana NRIs to fund lakes restoration project in the State by adopting them.

The Minister wrote an open letter to the NRIs of the region, stating that the lakes restoration project would help farmers and towns get adequate irrigation waters to reap in better benefits and prevention of migration. Expressing gratitude to three NRIs for coming forward to adopt lakes and ponds, he recalled that the former played a pivotal role in Telangana movement by exposing the issue to all other nations. “Now, as Telangana has achieved Statehood, we have to focus on rebuilding it into a golden one with active participation of the NRIs, farmers, government and people,” he said. The NRIs either as persons or in groups could take up lakes restoration works in the State and help prevent migration of farmers and the poor, he said. As many as 46,000 lakes and water bodies would be restored, including 9,000 ponds every year, he said. The government would involve farmers and people in the ambitious project of lakes restoration, he said. It is time for the NRIs to focus on the development of their motherland through active participation and funds.

With the inspiration of Kakatiya rulers, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao began the Mission Kakatiya project to provide safe drinking water to the people in each household in nine districts. Harish said the government was ready to name the lakes after those NRIs. A teleconference will be held with the Telangana NRIs in January.