TS needs 8K-cr ` for R&R

The state government requires over `8,000 crore to pay compensation and take up rehabilitation work for the irrigation projects in TS.

While the state government has decided to allot `25,000 crore in the Budget this year for irrigation projects — the highest-ever allocation to any sector so far — nearly 40 per cent of the amount will go for compensation and rehabilitation alone.

Despite the higher allotment, it would be a difficult task for the government to meet targets due to financial constraints.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has set himself an ambitious target of bringing over one crore acres under irrigation by spending `1.25 lakh crore over the next four years.

To achieve this, he announced allotment of `25,000 crore for irrigation projects every year, starting 2016-17.

For this, Mr Rao has lined up 16 projects which involve re-engineering of existing projects besides new projects.

Land acquisition for Palamuru-Ranga Reddy project and Pranahitha-Chevella project has turned too costly for the TS government.

The government needs to pay around `500 crore towards power charges alone to take up five lift irrigation projects, besides another `800 crore towards salaries and perks for officials and staff working on projects.