Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Uttam Kumar Reddy slams Harish Rao over irrigation 'crude lies'
Two neighboring states in India, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, are having a big argument about river water.
A special group called the Godavari River Management Board helps manage the Godavari river water shared by both states.
Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Telangana's irrigation minister, spoke about this argument.
He said a leader from another political party, Mr. Harish Rao, is telling people untrue stories about the water projects.
Mr. Reddy said his government is doing a very good job protecting Telangana's water.
He explained that Andhra Pradesh has been complaining about the projects for the last 12 years.
He said those complaints are old and not new.
He also said Telangana's projects, like Sitarama, were approved after proper checks by experts.
He asked some questions about Andhra Pradesh's own water projects too.
At the end, he promised to keep defending Telangana's water rights.
Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy accused BRS leader T Harish Rao of indulging in 'false propaganda and fabricated stories' on irrigation issues.
The minister said the Congress government is fully committed to safeguarding Telangana's water rights and will defend every state project before the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB).
Uttam said Andhra Pradesh's objections to the proposed August 18 GRMB meeting are neither new nor unexpected, as it has raised them for the past 12 years.
Andhra Pradesh has opposed approvals for seven Telangana projects, including Kaleshwaram and Sitarama, with the Sitarama project securing TAC clearance on April 24, 2025.
Uttam questioned whether the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, Pattiseema Lift Scheme and Polavaram-Banakacherla project progressed during the BRS regime.
- Who
- Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and BRS leader T Harish Rao
- What
- Uttam Kumar Reddy called Harish Rao's criticism 'false propaganda' and defended Telangana's water projects against Andhra Pradesh's objections
- When
- On Wednesday, ahead of the proposed GRMB meeting on August 18
- Where
- Hyderabad, Telangana
- Why
- In response to Harish Rao's criticism over the agenda of the proposed GRMB meeting
Critics' stance (BRS)
Government's stance (Congress)
GRMB meeting agenda criticism
Critics' stance (BRS)
Harish Rao criticized the agenda of the proposed August 18 GRMB meeting, suggesting Telangana's water interests are at risk.
Government's stance (Congress)
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the issues listed by Andhra Pradesh are neither new nor unexpected, having been raised for 12 years, and the state has countered them successfully.
Protection of Telangana's water rights
Critics' stance (BRS)
The BRS leader's criticism implies the Congress government is failing to protect Telangana's irrigation interests.
Government's stance (Congress)
The Congress government is fully committed to safeguarding Telangana's water rights and has secured clearances like TAC approval for Sitarama on April 24, 2025.
Andhra Pradesh's objections to Telangana projects
Critics' stance (BRS)
Andhra Pradesh has opposed approvals for seven major Telangana projects before the GRMB, Central Water Commission and Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Government's stance (Congress)
Telangana has successfully defended its projects before the competent authorities with strong legal and technical submissions.
- Irrigation Minister
- N Uttam Kumar Reddy
- Accused leader
- T Harish Rao (BRS)
- Key body
- Godavari River Management Board (GRMB)
- Proposed GRMB meeting
- August 18
- Sitarama TAC clearance
- April 24, 2025
- Duration of Andhra Pradesh objections
- 12 years
- Projects opposed by Andhra Pradesh
- 7 (Kaleshwaram, Sitarama, Sammakka Sagar, Chinna Kaleshwaram, Chanaka-Korata, Modikunta Vagu, Gudem Lift Irrigation Scheme)
- Venue
- Hyderabad