Budgetary allocation for irrigation, other key sectors inadequate, says CPI (M), CPI (ML) Mass Line (Praja Pandha)

CPI (M) district secretary Nunna Nageswara Rao alleged that allocation of a meagre ₹699 crore for the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project (SRLIP) in the Budget will result in further delay in completion of the project.

In a statement on Wednesday, he said that inadequate allocation of funds to the most-sought after project shows the raw deal meted out to the erstwhile composite Khammam district. The irrigation potential of the SRLIP is estimated to be 9 lakh acres spread in Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Mahabubabad districts, he said.

Of its estimated cost of ₹19,000 crore, about ₹7,000 crore has been spent in the last 17 years, he said, deploring the ‘inordinate delay’ in completion of the project. At least ₹8,000 crore should be allocated to the SRLIP to speed up the works on the project, he demanded.

In a separate statement, CPI (ML) Mass Line (Praja Pandha) State secretary Potu Ranga Rao flayed the Telangana Budget for what he termed as ‘inadequate allocations’ for agriculture, health, irrigation and other key sectors.

There is no mention of upgrading the University PG Centre in Khammam to a University and improving amenities in 11,000 government schools that are grappling with lack of basic facilities across the State, he said.