Telangana’s drought conditions have triggered a political confrontation over the state government’s preparedness, farmer support and the allocation of water supplying Hyderabad, with BRS leader T. Harish Rao accusing the Congress government of neglecting both rural livelihoods and urban drinking-water needs.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, the former minister alleged that the government had failed to create alternate employment opportunities for farmers and agricultural workers expected to be affected by the drought. He also criticised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for what he described as a preference for political activities and for travelling to Delhi while the state faced difficult water and agricultural conditions.
Harish Rao further alleged that water from Sigur dam, which he said could sustain Hyderabad, was being supplied to beer companies. “Is drinking water for people the priority or manufacturing liquor?” he asked. The report did not include a response from the state government, Hyderabad’s water authorities or the companies referred to in the allegation.
The dispute places two connected water-management questions at the centre of the political debate: how Telangana is responding to drought conditions in farming areas, and how available supplies are being prioritised among drinking water, irrigation and industrial use. The allegation is significant for Hyderabad because the city’s water security depends on a network of reservoirs and transmission systems that also serve competing economic and institutional demands.
Harish Rao also questioned the government’s handling of a meeting involving Rythu Vedikas and elected representatives. According to his account, the meeting was initially scheduled for 11 am with the Chief Minister expected to address farmers. It was subsequently described as cancelled, then rescheduled for 1 pm, before responsibility for addressing participants was shifted from the Deputy Chief Minister to the Chief Secretary and then the agriculture minister.
He linked the confusion to what he described as inadequate preparation for the impact of El Nino and drought. Harish Rao said a Cabinet meeting had been expected to discuss the issue, citing a statement by minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, and questioned what had happened to that meeting.
The BRS leader also sought legal action against the Chief Minister and other government officials for alleged neglect of drought preparedness. Referring to the arrest of farmers who released water from Jurala, he asked why similar action should not be considered when drinking and irrigation water was allegedly diverted for beer production.
The allegations add pressure on the Telangana government to clarify its drought-response measures, the status of farmer-support plans and the basis for water allocations from reservoirs supplying Hyderabad. The source report did not provide details of any Cabinet decision, official drought package or government response to the claims.
