Release Irrigation Water to Jurala Ayacut Farmers: Harish Rao

Former minister and BRS Deputy Floor Leader T. Harish Rao condemned the detention of farmers and BRS leaders from the erstwhile Palamuru region who were protesting for the release of irrigation water to the Jurala ayacut. He said it was unjustified to detain former ministers Singireddy Niranjan Reddy, C. Lakshma Reddy and Srinivas Goud, along with former MLAs Chittem Rammohan Reddy and A. Venkateshwar Reddy and other leaders who were supporting the farmers. Recent reports said police stopped BRS leaders and farmers from reaching the Jurala Project, while some leaders were placed under house arrest and former MLA Chittem Rammohan Reddy was taken into custody.

Harish Rao alleged that the government was failing to address the irrigation needs of farmers in the Palamuru region. He questioned why water was not being released to the Jurala ayacut when water was available in the Krishna basin and why the reservoirs built under the Palamuru-Rangareddy project were not being adequately filled. Farmers have been protesting for irrigation water, with reports stating that some farmers even opened the left canal regulator themselves after officials did not release water, citing water availability and other operational considerations. Harish Rao demanded the immediate release of irrigation water to Jurala ayacut farmers and the release of detained farmers and BRS leaders.