Konaseema Irrigation Crisis: YSRCP Alleges Coalition Government Failed Farmers

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) district president Chirl Jaggi Reddy has accused the coalition government of failing to address irrigation challenges faced by farmers in the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district during the ongoing Kharif season, alleging poor water management and administrative negligence.

Addressing the issue, Jaggi Reddy said that farmers in several tail-end ayacut areas are struggling due to inadequate irrigation supply despite Konaseema being a region traditionally nourished by the waters of the Godavari. He argued that the inability to ensure water reaches the last stretches of agricultural land reflects serious shortcomings in the government's planning and execution.

According to him, effective management and release of around 11,000 cusecs of water would be sufficient to supply irrigation needs across the district, enabling farmers to cultivate crops worth nearly ₹3,500 crore . He noted that many farmers had already invested heavily in the season by pledging gold, securing loans and preparing nurseries, only to face uncertainty because water has not reached their fields on time.

The YSRCP leader alleged that farmers had repeatedly approached district authorities and submitted representations highlighting the issue, but their concerns had not received an adequate response. He pointed out that the government had announced the release of water into canals on May 30 , assuring that it would reach tail-end regions by June 30 , yet several areas are still awaiting adequate supply.

Jaggi Reddy also criticised a recent visit by a state minister to the district, claiming that the tour focused on areas where water was already available while ignoring regions facing acute shortages. He said a realistic assessment of the situation would require officials and public representatives to inspect the tail-end ayacut areas where farmers are experiencing difficulties.

Questioning the government's claim that 14,200 cusecs of water had been released, he asked why the supply had failed to reach the final stretches of the irrigation network. He further alleged that inadequate desilting and maintenance of canals before the monsoon season had worsened the problem.

Stressing that the issue concerns farmers' livelihoods rather than politics, Jaggi Reddy urged the government to take immediate corrective measures and ensure irrigation water reaches all ayacut areas in time to safeguard the Kharif crop.