Take people into confidence about irrigation projects: YSRCP

YSR Congress today said that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu must take all stakeholders into confidence on the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation project.
"The Chief Minister is more bothered about 22 per cent excess quoted in tenders and not in providing waters to the arid Rayalaseema region. Since the Pattiseema project is in a legal tangle, it cannot be completed in one year. On the other hand, it will strengthen the argument of people who oppose the Polavaram project because the two projects run parallel to each other," YSR Congress spokesperson K Parthasarathi said.
The foundation stone of the project was laid here today by Naidu.

Parthasarathi said that the AP state government must bring all stakeholders together and be categorical about the project, the status of the Polavaram project and permissions received so far, Parthasarathi said.
"It seems Pattiseema is being taken up in a hurry only for kickbacks with excess quotation in tenders as the process cannot be completed in one year. On the other Polavaram project, which has attained national status stands to be ignored," he said.
To allay people's fears, the AP state government must categorically announce how it would complete the project and at what cost as well as give an assurance on completing the Polavaram project, he said.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led AP state government has to be specific about both the projects, since the Pattiseema project is being opposed by not only the main opposition party, but also by TDP leaders and farmers' associations who fear that it would affect the Polavaram project, he said.