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(Kuradi Chandrasekhara Kalkura)
The euphoria that was raised by the voters of the Rayalaseema in 2019 general elections to the state Assembly and the Lok Sabha has not been fully reflected in the State budget, 2019-20, presented to the Assembly on 12th July 2019.
The hopes were redoubled as both the chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and the finance minister Buggana Rajendanatha Reddy hail from the Region, Kadapa and Kurnool districts respectively.
However, time is not lost. Elected representatives of the ruling party(YSRCP) from the region with an unprecedented overwhelming in number, 49 out of 52, and also all the 8 Members of the Lok Sabha from the Region, in unison shall prevail upon the state leadership to reciprocate the gesture of the people.
There are three scarecrows (దిష్ఠి బొమ్మలు) in the opposition; brothers-in-law, Chandrababu Naidu from Kuppam and Nandamuri Balakrishna from Hindupur and Vayyavula Kesavulu from Uruvakonda.
The primary need and urge of the region are assured irrigation and drinking water. Only three schemes Galeru-Nagari, 391 crores, Handri-Neeva 1134 crores, and Pulivendula Canal 112 (C.M.’s own Constituency) are allotted marginal funds.
Considering the sub-schemes under the Krishna River in Prakasam Gundlakamma (Rs 28 crores) and Veligonda (Rs592crores) as belonging to Greater Rayalaseema, the allotment may not be meager, but definitely not substantial.
The demand for the Siddeswaram Weir and Gundrevula across the Krishna and the Tungabhadra respectively in Kurnool district are decades old. Late chief minister Y.S.Rajsekhar Reddy himself, had more than once raised the issue both within and outside the Assembly. Other projects like Rajoliband Diversion Scheme (RDS) Right Branch Canal, Tungabhadra High-Level Parallel Canal, Tungabhadra Flood Flow Canal, Vedavathi Lift Irrigation Project, etc. found no favor with the government in budget allocation.
When Pattiseema was launched with much fanfare it was felt almost certain that all the projects drawing surplus water from the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator, such as Srisailam Right Branch Canal and Galeru-Nagari, would be allotted assured water for it was repeatedly announced, both within the Assembly and in public meetings that the Scheme was primarily intended to augment the supply of water to Rayalaseema. Unfortunately, it was not to be.
Now a dialogue is in progress between the CMs of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh regarding harnessing the surplus Godavari Waters that flows waste into the Bay of Bengal, for the beneficial use of both the States.
What may be the outcome is anybody’s guess? There is lurking suspicion that it is only a device to postpone the supply of assured water to Rayalaseema. It is like applying the honey to the forehand to lick. ( మోచేతికి నెయ్యి) Rayalaseema cannot wait till the consensus is arrived at and agreement reached. There are more than 100 tmcft of surplus allocable water in the Tungabhadra in the Krishna Basin.
Most of the legislators and Parliamentarians from the Region are newcomers and first-timers. On 15th July 2019, Dr. Pocha Brahmanand Reddy, a reputed Agronomist, the newly elected Member of the Lok Sabha from Nandyal, in his maiden speech made an impassioned plea on the floor House.
It reminds the good old golden days of the Parliament. He detailed the aspirations of the people of his constituency in particular and Rayalaseema in general, with emphasis on water.
Among the other justifiable demands are the establishment of Agricultural University at Tangadancha in Kurnool Dist, establishment of Railway Zonal Headquarters at Guntakal, the Steel factory at Kadapa, operation of Orvakal, Kurnool Airport, completion of the Central University at Anantapur.
He also sought the introduction and extension of some trains from various places to Rayalaseema. His speech shall be taken as a road map for laying the infrastructure as well as completing the superstructure for the improvement and development of Rayalaseema.
That will reduce the burden of pre-poll assurances and post-poll underperformance.