Gadwal: Former Agriculture Minister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy met with District Collector B.M. Santosh to discuss pressing issues affecting farmers and irrigation in the district.
Niranjan Reddy criticized the government’s handling of fertilizer supply. Although 15,000 metric tonnes of urea were allocated for Jogulamba Gadwal this Kharif season, farmers used up 14,500 metric tonnes and still need 10,000 metric tonnes more. He alleged that urea intended for the district is being sent elsewhere, causing local farmers distress. Many farmers are stuck in long lines instead of working their fields. Without immediate urea supply, their crops face severe risks.
On irrigation, Reddy highlighted problems with the Jurala Project gates due to technical failures. Repairs are estimated at ₹4 crore, but the government has not responded to proposals submitted two months ago. With current inflows at 2 lakh cusecs and potential floods above 5.6 lakh cusecs, villages downstream could face serious flooding if the gates fail. He criticized the government for ignoring this issue in recent reviews.
Reddy also pointed out that local reservoirs remain underfilled despite ample river flows. The Sangala Reservoir has a capacity of 0.6 TMC but is empty, and only 0.5 TMC of water is stored in the Tatikunta Reservoir, which can hold 1.5 TMC. He urged the completion of packages 99 and 100 of the Nettempadu project to aid local farmers.
Reflecting on past achievements, Reddy noted that under the BRS government, led by KCR, Telangana outperformed Punjab in paddy cultivation. Initiatives like Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima, 24-hour power, and fertilizer availability helped farmers thrive. He accused the current government of neglecting farmers, leading to increased hardship.
Reddy warned that if these issues are not addressed—ensuring urea supply, repairing Jurala gates, filling reservoirs, and completing the Nettempadu packages—the BRS party will organize large-scale protests in support of farmers.
Several local BRS leaders from Jogulamba Gadwal accompanied Niranjan Reddy during the petition submission.
