Express News Service By

HYDERABAD:Faced with a massive social backlash over the proposed cheap liquor policy, the KCR-led Telangana state government today dumped the move. However, despite the ruckus by opposition parties, the government stuck to its guns on redesigning and reengineering of irrigation projects.

The State Cabinet, which met here on Wednesday, decided not to introduce cheap liquor in place of gudumba. The Cabinet gave its nod for introduction of Comprehensive Water Policy for the state for redesigning and reengineering of irrigation projects.

Briefing the details of the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said: “There was a mixed response to introduction of cheap liquor in the State. Respecting the sentiments of the people, the Cabinet has decided not to introduce cheap liquor this year.”

The Chief Minister said that control of manufacture and sale of gudumba would continue. “An IG rank officer will be appointed for this,” Rao said. He warned that cases under PD Act would be registered against the manufacturers and sellers of gudumba.

Pooh-poohing the Opposition parties’ protests, Rao said that the redesigning and reengineering of irrigation projects would go on. The Cabinet gave its nod for constituting a corporation for the proposed Kaleswaram barrage, which is coming up in place of shelved Pranahita-Chevella.

“Currently LIDAR survey is going on Kaleswaram barrage. Once, the report is in, the water policy will be announced,” Rao said. The policy would be announced after Rao returns from his China tour. “We will give a PPT presentation on redesigning of projects in the Assembly session commencing from September 23,” Rao said.

The Cabinet also gave its nod for constituting a Project Authority for the proposed Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation scheme. Rao said that the national project status would be sought from the Centre for the Kaleswaram LI scheme.

“I fought for Telangana. I am a fighter and crusader. The question of me doing injustice to Telangana does not arise at all,” the Chief Minister insisted.

Rs 81,000 crore in three years: Rao said that they would allocate Rs 25,000 crore per irrigation project every from 2016-17 Budget for three years. This year, the government has decided to spend Rs 1,000 crore every month and a total of Rs 8,000 crore in the remaining eight months of this budget year on irrigation projects.