Uttam Kumar Reddy: Record paddy, fair rations, and irrigation sector reforms are our hallmarks

• Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy, Tummala Nageswara Rao, and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy review progress in combined Nalgonda district
• Congress Govt will provide ration cards to all eligible beneficiaries: Uttam Kumar Reddy

Uttam Kumar Reddy | Hyderabad, May 30 (Maxim News): Telangana’s Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday announced that the state had achieved record paddy procurement under the Congress government, marking the highest scale of procurement in Telangana’s 11-year history and even during the period of undivided Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking at a review meeting of combined erstwhile Nalgonda district at the Suryapet District Collector’s Office on paddy procurement, agriculture, Indiramma houses, and Bhu Bharathi, Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted that during the last Kharif season, farmers cultivated 46.7 lakh acres and produced a record 103.5 lakh metric tonnes of paddy.

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Yasangi season

For the ongoing Yasangi season, cultivation extended to nearly 60 lakh acres, with an expected yield of 130 lakh metric tonnes. “No government in the past has achieved such large-scale procurement,” he declared, adding that the Congress government was ensuring that every single grain from every last farmer was procured.

Turning to the public distribution system (PDS), Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the government was determined to strengthen food security by providing ration cards to every eligible family in Telangana, whether below or above the poverty line.

He criticised the previous government for halting the process of issuing ration cards for nearly a decade, leaving many deserving families without access to subsidised food grains. “We are committed to rectifying this injustice and ensuring that no family is left behind,” he said.

He further elaborated that every beneficiary under the Congress government now receives six kilograms of rice free of cost. “We purchase rice at ₹40 per kilogram from the open market and distribute it free to beneficiaries,” he explained.

He noted that the government had already spent ₹10,665 crore to provide quality rice to 2.81 crore people, close to three crore beneficiaries. “This is a historic measure to ensure no one goes hungry in Telangana,” he said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the previous BRS government had distributed substandard ‘Doddu Biyyam’ (coarse rice), which forced people to compromise on quality. “After we came to power, we distributed fine rice, bringing relief to families across the state,” he noted.

The Minister condemned the significant leakages in the public distribution system under the previous administration, where 10–30% of rice was being diverted, depriving many deserving families. “We have plugged these leaks and ensured that six kilograms of rice reaches every ration beneficiary,” he asserted.

Uttam Kumar Reddy

Shifting focus to irrigation, Uttam Kumar Reddy issued a strong directive to officials to complete all land acquisition and forest clearance processes related to irrigation projects on a war footing. He emphasised the need for seamless coordination among irrigation officials, revenue staff, public representatives, contractors, and the media to ensure that ongoing projects were completed on time. “If there’s any issue – position papers, forest hurdles, or any other matter – contact me directly by phone,” he said. “Delays or inefficiencies will not be tolerated.” He assured farmers that he would personally oversee the process to guarantee fair compensation for their land.

Addressing the issue of neglected irrigation projects, Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted the Sriram Sagar Project (SRSP) as a prime example of past mismanagement. “For 45 years, no government took up desilting or de-sedimentation of SRSP, leaving it heavily silted and unable to hold water properly,” he said. He announced that the Congress government had launched a comprehensive desilting and de-sedimentation program across all major irrigation projects, including SRSP and Nagarjuna Sagar, to restore their water-holding capacity and ensure farmers receive the water they need.

Uttam Kumar Reddy – BRS government

He said the previous BRS government had completely destroyed the irrigation sector, leaving the department in disarray. “The Congress government is now working hard to clean up the massive mess left behind by the BRS. We have already recruited 1,100 engineers in the irrigation sector to strengthen the workforce and streamline the functioning of all related departments,” he said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy also took aim at the previous government’s handling of the Kaleshwaram Project. “The previous Congress government had conceptualised the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita Chevella Project, which could have been completed at ₹38,000 crore,” he said. “However, the BRS government escalated the cost to over ₹1 lakh crore, spent the money, and left us with a project that ultimately failed,” he charged. “They mortgaged not just us but also our future generations,” he added.

He praised his cabinet colleagues and local leaders for their cooperation. He described District In-Charge Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao as a model of integrity and dedication. He also lauded Komatireddy Venkat Reddy’s dynamic leadership in the Roads & Buildings Department and thanked Minister Tummala and the Agriculture Department for their support in achieving record yields.

Uttam Kumar Reddy – Accessible 24×7

He urged every official, whether in irrigation, revenue, or the police, to remain accessible 24×7 and ensure that every complaint or grievance is addressed without delay. “I want a transparent and honest administration that serves the poor and the common people,” he stressed.

Uttam Kumar Reddy warned that any official who engaged in corruption or negligence would face strict action. “We cannot allow any wrongdoing that hurts farmers or the public,” he declared. He encouraged the media to highlight any irregularities so that immediate action could be taken.

Looking ahead to the upcoming Kharif season, Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that ayacut plans would be finalised in advance to ensure fair water distribution to all farmers. “We will involve MPs, MLAs, and other public representatives in the planning and regulation process,” he said.

He appealed to all officials, contractors, public representatives, and media friends to work together to ensure that every irrigation and civil supplies project in the state progresses efficiently, transparently, and with full accountability. “Our government will not tolerate any inefficiency or corruption. We will ensure that these projects leave a mark in history,” he said. (Maxim News)

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