Telangana Cabinet Scraps GO To Protect Reservoirs, Announces Development Plans And Celebrations

The Telangana Cabinet announced that the scrapping of GO No. 111 will benefit the people of 84 villages, as the GO was impeding their development.

In a recent decision, the Telangana Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, scrapped a Government Order (GO) issued in 1996 that aimed to protect Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs located on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The Cabinet meeting, held at the newly inaugurated Dr BR Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat Complex, marked the first gathering at the venue.

The Cabinet highlighted that the revocation of GO No. 111 would facilitate the development of 84 villages, as the order had hindered their progress. Issued on March 8, 1996, GO 111 was initially intended to safeguard the catchment areas of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar by imposing restrictions on construction activities. These two reservoirs were constructed across the Musi River by the Nizam of Hyderabad following the devastating Musi floods in September 1908, which claimed the lives of thousands. Both reservoirs served as the primary sources of drinking water for Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

The government justified the decision to annul the GO by explaining that the two reservoirs were no longer the main sources of drinking water for Hyderabad, as the city now receives water through piped supply from the Krishna and Godavari rivers.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Harish Rao informed reporters that the Kaleshwaram reservoir would be linked to Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar. Additionally, the Cabinet resolved to bring Godavari water to Hyderabad's Hussain Sagar Lake.

Furthermore, the Cabinet decided to formulate a scheme aimed at promoting the growth of communities engaged in traditional occupations. The scheme would involve providing significant financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per beneficiary. To facilitate the implementation of the scheme, a Cabinet sub-committee, led by Backward Classes Welfare Minister Gangula Kamalakar, will be established to devise the necessary modalities. The scheme is set to be launched during the state's formation day celebrations commencing on June 2.

In a bid to commemorate the state's formation, the Telangana government also announced plans for grand-scale celebrations spanning 21 days, starting from June 2.