Telangana CM instructs for state funeral of R. Vidyasagar Rao

Expressing grief on the sad demise of irrigation expert and advisor to the Telangana Government R. Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Saturday instructed Chief Secretary S.P. Singh to accord the former a state funeral.

"Vidyasagar Rao's advice to the TRS party would remain a guiding force. His vast experience in the irrigation field had immensely helped the Telangana state after its formation in re-designing the irrigation projects," K. Chandrashekhar Rao added.

He further asserted that the way Vidyasagar Rao waged a battle over the cheating and injustice done to the Telangana region in water and in irrigation was unique and unparallel.

Chief Minister Rao stated, "During the Telangana statehood movement, the way Vidyasagar Rao collected the statistics on how injustice was being done to the region in the irrigation sector and created awareness among the people on the issue was unique and unparallel."

He further said that it was unfortunate that Vidyasagar Rao left "us midway when we were realising the dream of giving water to one crore acres in the State."

"Rao was not only a good friend to me, but also an elder brother and member of my family," the Chief Minister said and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved.