Naidu claiming undue credit for Polavaram canal works, says APCC chief Sharmila
Nearly 90% of the canal works have been completed during the tenure of former Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy, she claims
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee leader Y.S. Sharmila has criticized Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for claiming excessive credit for the Polavaram canal works, stating that these projects were largely completed during her father Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's tenure. In a statement, Ms. Sharmila accused Mr. Naidu of opposing the Jalayagnam program and expressing reservations about the Polavaram project when he was in opposition.
She highlighted that the foundation for the Polavaram irrigation system was laid during the YSR government, which obtained administrative approvals in 2004, allocated ₹2,680 crore, and procured land for acquisition and initiated major canal works before 2009. Nearly 90% of the canal works had been finished under the YSR government's rule, even before the main dam construction advanced significantly.
Ms. Sharmila emphasized that the left and right main canals were developed as part of YSR's initiative to leverage the Polavaram project as a significant irrigation source for Andhra Pradesh. The water currently delivered via the Left Main Canal from Purushottapatnam and Pushkara lift irrigation schemes was the result of the work initiated by the YSR-led administration.
The current government's contributions consisted of minor works, but the entire canal network was being portrayed as the achievement of Mr. Naidu's administration, according to Ms. Sharmila.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
