Telangana Ready to Lead All-Party Delegation to Delhi for Drought Aid: Dy Cm Bhatti

Hyderabad, Oct 28 (TNT) : Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Wednesday said the State government had submitted a report on the drought situation to the Centre and was prepared to lead an all-party delegation to Delhi, if necessary, to seek additional assistance to tackle the possible impact of El Niño.

Addressing an all-party meeting on drought preparedness at the Secretariat here, he said the government would consider suggestions from political parties and formulate a coordinated action plan to address rainfall deficit, drinking water shortages, irrigation needs and other emerging challenges.

The meeting, attended by ministers and representatives of various political parties, discussed advance preparedness, support for farmers and measures to ensure adequate water availability in the coming months.

Bhatti called for political parties to set aside differences and cooperate in the larger public interest. He said the government had recorded the suggestions made at the meeting and would incorporate feasible recommendations into its action plan.

He said the government had consulted scientists and experts, organised meetings and seminars, and constituted a committee to study the possible impact of El Niño. Preparations were under way to minimise the effects of potential drought conditions, he added.

Expressing concern over rainfall deficits in Telangana as well as neighbouring states and other parts of the country, the Deputy Chief Minister stressed the need for efficient management of available water resources.

He said the government was assessing reservoir storage levels and coordinating departments to prevent drinking water shortages in urban and rural areas. Measures were also being planned to ensure drinking water and fodder for livestock, besides addressing irrigation requirements and the water needs of urban areas.

The State would take all possible measures within its jurisdiction and submit necessary proposals to the Centre for additional assistance, he said, adding that an all-party delegation would meet Union Ministers if required.

Recalling the cooperation extended by political parties during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bhatti Vikramarka urged them to work together to protect people from the possible effects of drought.

Ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Tummala Nageswara Rao, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Danasari Seethakka and Vakiti Srihari attended the meeting, along with Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, nodal officer Ramakrishna Rao and representatives of the Congress, BRS, BJP, AIMIM, CPI, CPM and other political parties.