Sircilla (Telangana) ,May 5 (TNT): Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accord national project status to the Pranahita-Chevella Project, stating that denying such recognition to Telangana projects amounts to discrimination.
Speaking during the Prime Minister’s visit to Karimnagar, the Deputy Chief Minister said the project conceived during the Congress government in undivided Andhra Pradesh should be immediately declared a national project in line with assurances given under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation framework.
He pointed out that while the Centre granted national project status to the Polavaram Project in Andhra Pradesh, no such recognition has been extended to Telangana, which he termed as unfair treatment.
Earlier in the day, Bhatti Vikramarka, along with Ministers Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Tummala Nageshwar Rao, and Ponnam Prabhakar, laid the foundation stone for a compressed biogas plant set up by Biostratum Technologies Private Limited at Gambhiraopet village in Sircilla district.
Addressing farmers at the event, he criticised the Centre for delays in procuring food grains purchased by the state at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and for postponing the release of funds, calling it a betrayal of farmers.
He urged the Union Government to procure all crops covered under MSP and ensure timely payments, rather than limiting procurement to select commodities.
Highlighting sustainable agriculture initiatives, the Deputy Chief Minister encouraged farmers to supply crop residue to biogas plants instead of burning it, noting that this would reduce air pollution and provide an additional source of income.
He said the initiative aligns with global discussions on clean and green energy.
Bhatti also called for crop diversification, urging farmers to shift from paddy to more profitable options such as horticulture crops, millets, and oil palm, which can enhance income and provide nutritious food.
He emphasised that agriculture would become truly prosperous only when modern farming practices are adopted, adding that the state government is committed to ensuring procurement support and farmer welfare at every level.
TNT TS
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