Environmental analysis not done properly: Ex-minister

Medak: Former Minister Sunitha Laxma Reddy alleged that Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI) was not following the due process of conducting Environmental Impact Assessment regarding the construction of Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Project, as the agency appointed by the State government was hurriedly trying to complete filing their impact assessment report within three months, without even meeting the farmers, when the actual process to be followed by them was to study the environmental impact on the submergence area extensively, studying three seasons.

Giving her opinion on the project’s impact on environment during the Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Project canal works’ environmental public hearing which was held in Sai Balaji Gardens in Medak town, she testified saying heritage structures, air/ground water/soil/forest pollution and impact on minor irrigation tanks was supposed to be done as part of the impact assessment, as they were also important aspects of the environment.

She wondered why the government was trying to take water from Mallanna Sagar to Singur through pipelines without giving water to farmers en route. She alleged that farmers in Narsapur were not informed about the hearing in advance and added that land was already taken from some farmers as per GO 123 which was cancelled by the High Court and demanded that compensation be paid to those farmers as per the LARR Act of 2013.

Shankar Peddalingannagari, DBF National Secretary, said that majority of people who would be affected by the project were farm labourers and that GO No 38 under which they need to be compensated for loss of livelihood was not being followed till date.

A Mallesh, CPM District Secretary questioned how the project could be constructed without a Detailed Project Report. Mallesham, Secretary, Vyavasaya Karmika Sangham, demanded that farmers in possession of lands be compensated irrespective of being the rightful owner as per the revenue records.

While these are the participants who raised questions against the project, a majority of participants, apparently local TRS leaders, favoured the project as it would develop social forestry, wildlife and biodiversity, artisans, fisheries, toddy business and would ultimately bring down farmers’ suicide incidents in the state.

Muralidhar Yadav, TRS District President, United Medak, said that it was the dream of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao to give water to more than 18 lakh acres through Kaleshwaram project and said that in Medak district alone 2.12 lakh acres would come under irrigation through the project.

Pakala Srihari Rao, leader of a farmers’ organisation, who once played an appreciable role in ensuring that the relatives of farmers who had committed suicide got compensation, welcomed the efforts of Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao and CM KCR to quench the thirst of people.

The public hearing was presided by District Collector Bharati Hollikeri and was attended by MLA M Bhupal Reddy, MLA S Ramalinga Reddy, MLA Madan Reddy, irrigation officials, revenue officials and other officials concerned.