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Telangana: Sitarama lift irrigation project to be completed on priority

State ready to implement Land Acquisition Act-2013.

Khammam: The state government which faced problems in land acquisition for Mallannasagar reservoir in Medak district, is ready to implement either GO No. 123 or the Central Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act-2013 in the land acquisition for the Sitarama lift irrigation project.

Officials took an oath to complete the project, a lifeline for both Bhadradri and Khammam districts, quickly. The TRS government has decided not to invite the ire of the farmers over paying compensation for acquiring land.

A land survey found that 1,769 acres was needed in the first phase. The land has to be acquired for 10-km stretch in Burgum-pahad and Paloncha mandals. To fix the alignment, about 12 teams had been constituted.

The government is ready to allocate the funds needed for land acquisition but is cautious in view of its experience in Mallannasagar.

The project aims at lifting 50 tmc water from the Godavari river to irrigate five lakh acres including stabilising three lakh acres. If the farmers opt for GO 123, it is easy for the government to pay compensation. In case rehabilitation is required for implementation of Land Act-2013, the government is also ready to implement it on priority basis.

But it will take some more time in assessing social impact and identifying the beneficiaries. The GO No. 123 gives more flexibility to the farmers and the 2013 act will protect the interests of all people in the affected areas.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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