Uttam Kumar calls for greater efficiency in irrigation department, warns action against errant officials

Irrigation Minister emphasizes accountability, efficiency, and completion of pending projects to improve irrigation sector in Telangana.

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed irrigation department officials to focus on maximizing ayacut with minimal expenditure while ensuring accountability. At a review meeting held at Jala Soudha on Tuesday, he emphasised strict measures against inefficiency, warning that negligent officials would face suspension rather than mere transfers.

Highlighting the importance of accountability, Mr. Reddy urged employees to reside at their postings and work diligently to meet government objectives. He reminded that Executive Engineer Lakshman was suspended following a complaint, setting a precedent for zero tolerance towards negligence.

The Minister instructed officials to remain stationed in project areas, conduct on-ground reviews and adhere to result-oriented schedules. Addressing challenges inherited from the previous administration, Mr. Reddy criticized the lack of planning, manpower, and infrastructure, which left the irrigation sector in disarray.

To address these gaps, 700 Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs), including graduates from IITs and IIITs, were recruited, along with 1,800 Laskar staff through outsourcing. The Telangana State Public Service Commission has been tasked with filling additional vacancies. Mr. Reddy stressed the importance of young talent in improving the sector.

He criticized the former government for spending ₹1.81 lakh crore on irrigation projects without significant ayacut expansion, noting that half of the ₹22,000 crore annual irrigation budget is used for loan repayments. He said that the State government is prioritizing the completion of pending projects and launching new initiatives. Efforts to allocate 67 TMC of Godavari water for the Sitharama Lift Irrigation Project and 44 TMC for the Sammaka Sarakka project have been expedited. Talks with Chhattisgarh for an NOC on the Sammaka Sarakka project are under way.

Mr. Reddy also reiterated the government’s resolve to contest the inequitable allocation of Krishna water, which grants Telangana 299 TMC compared to Andhra Pradesh’s 512 TMC. He reaffirmed the Congress government’s commitment to safeguarding Telangana’s water rights. He also announced that long-pending transfers and promotions in the irrigation department would be completed by January 2025. A committee comprising Advisor Adiyanath Das, Principal Secretary Rahul Bojja, Special Secretary Prashant Patil and Engineer-in-Chief Anil Kumar has been formed to oversee the process.

Summarizing the year’s progress, Mr. Reddy described 2024 as a successful year for the irrigation sector and expressed optimism for further achievements in 2025. Extending New Year greetings, he reaffirmed the Congress government’s commitment to systematic and efficient irrigation reforms.