Inter-linking of rivers top on south Ministers' meet

Hyderabad: Irrigation Ministers of the southern states would meet here on Monday to discuss important issues like disputes related to irrigation, particularly in the context of inter-linking of rivers taken up by the Central government.

At the last meeting of the ministers of southern states, the progress of 99 schemes taken up under the

PMKSY in the country were reviewed.

Similarly, the meeting had also discussed about the funds required for the schemes and the funds given by NABARD to the states was also reviewed.

This time, the Telangana government proposes to raise issues like its long-pending demand of national project status for the Kaleshwaram project, adequate funds for the completion of irrigation schemes and linking of river Krishna and Godavari.

The meeting will be chaired by Union Water Resources Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Official sources said that the Telangana government will reiterate why it was necessary to accord the national project status for the Kaleshwaram project and the need to extend financial help for the ongoing Palamuru and Rangareddy lift irrigation schemes.

The issue of pending release of funds under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) will also be taken up at the meeting.

Since the irrigation portfolio is with the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, the Chief Secretary S K Joshi will make a presentation on his behalf.

Officials said that centre owed Rs 300 crore to Telangana to complete the Devadula project under the AIBP. Many irrigation schemes under centrally sponsored programmes were pending due to delay in the release of funds.

The proposal to link the two rivers of Krishna and Godavari in coordination with Andhra Pradesh for the optimum utilisation of two rivers waters will also be placed before the south India Irrigation ministers conference.

The irrigation officials will also make a plea with the centre to extend assistance to continue the Mission Kakatiya scheme under which the TS government is reviving nearly 40,000 abandoned water bodies.

Modernization of RDS scheme, completion of all projects in Krishna basin, Polavaram project and diversion of Godavari waters etc will also figure in the meeting.