Telangana seeks Rs 10K-cr Central aid

Hyderabad: Telangana has sought Rs 10,000 crore in additional Central assistance to complete pending irrigation projects and tackle declining groundwater levels caused by deficient rainfall, Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Sunday.

Addressing the media, along with Sports and Youth Services Minister Vakiti Srihari, after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttam said Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had sought the Prime Minister's intervention in securing pending clearances and financial assistance for the state.

The Minister said Telangana had requested the Centre to provide Rs 5,000 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for 2026-27 to help complete major and medium irrigation projects that had achieved 70 to 90 per cent physical progress.

Uttam said the state had received only Rs 1,457 crore out of the Rs 2 lakh crore announced under the Central capital investment scheme.

The additional assistance would help complete projects requiring the final 10 to 30 per cent of funding.

"With a timely infusion of Rs 5,000 crore, these projects can be completed within a year, bringing substantial new and stabilised ayacut under assured irrigation and boosting farm incomes, rural employment, and food grains production," he said.

The Minister alleged that the previous government had abandoned the original Pranahita-Chevella project after spending around Rs. 11,000 crore and shifted its focus to the Medigadda-based Kaleshwaram project. The final Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) clearance was pending due to the NOC and other procedural issues.

The state has also sought Rs 5,856 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for four irrigation projects. These include Rs 5,183 crore for the integrated Sitarama Sagar–Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project, Rs. 392 crore for Modikunta Vagu, Rs 178 crore for Chinna Kaleshwaram and Rs. 103 crore for the Chanaka-Korata Barrage.

Referring to the Central Ground Water Board's September 2026 report, Uttam said the El Niño phenomenon and deficient rainfall had led to declining groundwater levels in several districts.

The state has sought another Rs 5,000 crore for groundwater recharge and conservation measures across all revenue villages. The programme will include short- and long-term interventions and will be integrated with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act 2025 framework.

Uttam assured that there was no immediate threat to drinking water supplies, as adequate water had been stored in reservoirs to meet requirements until the next monsoon. He said Prime Minister Modi had patiently heard the state's representations and responded positively. Telangana would continue pursuing the proposals with the concerned Union ministries.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, along with Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Vakiti Srihari, also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the upcoming Khelo India Youth Games scheduled during December 11-22 in Telangana. He also invited the Prime Minister for Invest Telangana Global Summit scheduled from December 7. The delegation requested him to grace either the inaugural or the closing ceremony and briefed him on the state's preparations.

Telangana is gearing up to host competitions in 27 sporting disciplines, including the traditional Indian martial art Karra samu (traditional stick-fighting martial arts of Telugu states). More than 7,000 athletes and around 1,200 sports officials and coaches from across the country are expected to participate.

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Venkateshwarlu Kolishetty

Venkateshwarlu Kolishetty