Telangana Congress seeks Governor's intervention over Mallanna Sagar project

TPCC President Uttam Kumar Reddy said they are not opposing construction of power projects but objects the methods employed by state govt for acquiring land

Congress state unit on Monday stepped up pressure on Telangana government by submitting a memorandum to Governor ESL Narasimhan seeking his intervention in the Mallanna Sagar irrigation project in Medak district, which had triggered massive protests.

"We requested his (Governor's) intervention as the first citizen of the state on forcible land acquisition and other issues. The state government is going unilaterally on the project without considering the hardships being faced by poor people there," 

TPCC President Uttam Kumar Reddy told reporters outside Raj Bhavan.

"The TRS government is misleading the High Court as well," he alleged.

"They informed the court that they will not forcibly acquire land for the project but in reality, they are forcing people to part with their land. We have informed the same to the Governor," Reddy said.

He said his party does not oppose construction of irrigation or power projects but objects to the methods employed by the state government for acquiring land.

"We oppose forcible acquisition by anti-constitutional methods being used in the name of the project," Reddy said.

He also alleged that prohibitory orders are in force in some villages in vicinity of the project area for the past several days creating problems for villagers.

The K Chandrasekhar Rao-led TRS government has proposed to construct Malanna Sagar irrigation project at Yetigadda Kishtapur village in Kondapak mandal, for which it is acquiring 12,000 acres of land.

About 14 villages are likely to go under water due to the project. Once completed, the project, estimated to cost Rs 9,800 crore, would irrigate 12 lakh acres of land in Medak, Nizamabad, Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy districts.

Protesting villagers, however, are resisting acquisition and are demanding compensation under the Land Acquisition Act 2013.

In July, farmer B Narasaiah (73), who hailed from Pallepahad village, had committed suicide allegedly against the acquisition of land for the project.

At least 10 farmers were injured in baton charge by police near Yerravalli village when intermittent protests had turned violent.

Reddy further alleged that the state government has not yet prepared social and environmental impact reports for the project.