CM sets deadline for Mallanna Sagar tank

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has set a 6-month deadline for the completion of the works of the Telangana's biggest Mallanna Sagar reservoir taken up under the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project on the Godavari river.

On CM's instructions, Chief Secretary SK Joshi, who also holds the post of Special Chief Secretary to Irrigation department, cancelled his proposed US visit and plunged into the action to complete task of the completion of 50 tmc feet capacity reservoir works within the deadline.

The chief minister also instructed the officials concerned that the re-employment, rehabilitation and distribution of financial assistance programme to the displaced persons, who lost land under the reservoir, should be completed on war-footing.

KCR held a meeting with top officials and discussed the issue of disbursement of the compensation to the displaced persons at the project sites and asked them that a report must be sent to the High Court before May 11.

He expressed his displeasure over circumstances leading to frequent interferences of courts despite so much is being done by the government for the welfare of the displaced families.

The CM instructed Joshi to personally monitor and supervise the process of paying compensation to the displaced persons.

Responsibilities of monitoring the distribution and compensation payment at the field level has been entrusted to CMO Secretary Smitha Sabarwal.

It has also been decided to organise special camps in eight villages under Mallanna Sagar jurisdiction and provide compensation to displaced persons.

"Distribution of compensation shall be completed on war-footing and the works of Mallanna Sagar Reservoir shall be taken up immediately and expedited like the Konda Pochamma Sagar Reservoir.

The reservoir work shall be completed on war-footing within 6 to 7 months. By the end of next June, the reservoir shall be filled with water," the CM issued instructions to the irrigation department.

Stating that Mallanna Sagar is like the heart of the Kaleshwaram project, KCR said that about Rs 800 crore is being spent towards compensation and rehabilitation for Mallanna Sagar displaced persons.

The government provided the best of the rehabilitation package to the displaced persons who lost their lands during the construction of the project.