Sonia credited for Telangana statehood as Congress targets KCR over ‘family rule’

Hyderabad: Projecting agriculture and irrigation as the pillars of governance, irrigation and civil supplies minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday said the Congress govt has set national benchmarks through farmer-centric paddy procurement, irrigation expansion and reforms in the public distribution system.Addressing newly-appointed district Congress committee presidents from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh at a training camp in Vikarabad, he urged party leaders to recognise the role of Sonia Gandhi and the Nehru-Gandhi family in the formation and development of Telangana.
Stating that Sonia Gandhi was instrumental in granting statehood, Uttam alleged that K Chandrasekhar Rao had promised to merge his party — then TRS, now BRS — with Congress but later withdrew after state formation to pursue what he described as a personal and family-centric agenda. Highlighting agricultural support measures, the minister said farmers received a ₹500 per quintal bonus for fine variety paddy and that the state procured a record 72 lakh metric tonnes during the current kharif season from over 50 lakh farmers. On irrigation, he said the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project is advancing rapidly and will bring water to about 3 lakh acres. Major projects, including Palamuru-Rangareddy, Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Koilsagar and Bhima, are targeted for completion before the next assembly elections, while the Devadula project is expected to be finished by Dec 2027. The Sita Rama and Seetamma Sagar projects will utilise Godavari waters to irrigate around 6 lakh acres in Khammam district. On Kaleshwaram project, minister Uttam said experts from Indian Institute of Technology are evaluating technological options, including repair of existing structures or complete reconstruction. "We are correcting the mistakes of the previous govt. A detailed study is underway to ensure a sustainable solution without abandoning the project," he added.