KCR, Harish Rao lying on Pulichintala issue: Uttam

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday alleged that chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and Irrigation minister T Harish Rao were truly lying on the Pulichintala ousters issue.

Stating that the Congress leaders fought for the right of Pulichintala ousters he said that it was unfortunate on part of TRS leaders for resorting to cheap politics. He was speaking during a meeting on this issue at party office. He said, “We had meetings with the Pulichintala victims and enquired as to what they needed in compensation. Now the 130 MW power plant is evident of the struggle of Congress leaders which ruling party is hiding from public.”

The rehabilitation provided to the Pulichintala oustees was unprecedented, he claimed. He said that people of the affected villages got the facilities of roads, basic amenities including water, electricity, schools and others.

Anganwadi centers and drinking water facilities were also provided, he added. Uttam further said that the oustees were provided such facilities which were not even enlisted in the 2013 land acquisition act and that farmers were continuing their cultivation activities even today.

Consequent to the efforts of Congress leaders it was made possible that the 130 MW power plant was retrieved to the Telangana besides that several lift irrigation projects have facilitated nearly 15 to 20,000 acre land be irrigated, he informed. Alleging that the Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister were spreading lies on this contentious issue Uttma said if the oustees say that they were not given proper compensation he would resign. He said that Congress government had given them Rs 500 crore compensations and ideal villages were set up. But the current government was not coming forward to release the remaining amount of the compensation, he said.

The TPCC Chief said that in case of Mallanna Sagar Telangana government must rehabilitate and compensate the affected farmers and recover the compensation from the neighboring state. It is unfair to forcefully take the lands of farmers and take their signatures by harassing them, he lamented. He said that compensation must be according to 2013 act and as per the wishes of farmers there.