Uttam calls for Unified National Water-Security Framework

metro india news I hyderabad

Telangana Irrigation and CAD Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has called for a unified national framework for water security, proposing that every water-conservation asset be uniquely identified, assigned to a responsible agency and assessed against measurable outcomes.

Addressing the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari departmental summit, organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in New Delhi, Uttam Kumar Reddy said water security must be treated as a national public mission rather than merely an engineering or departmental responsibility.

He advocated convergence of programmes such as MGNREGS, PMKSY, Finance Commission grants, CAMPA, watershed schemes, State programmes and CSR to prevent duplication, fragmented planning and poor maintenance. Every asset, he said, should be geo-tagged, linked to its funding source and placed under a clearly designated custodian.

“Every rupee spent, every structure created and every community mobilised must produce a measurable and lasting water benefit,” he said. Highlighting Telangana’s performance, the Minister said the State was recognised as the best-performing State under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari in 2025, with 13 districts featuring among India’s top 50 in water conservation. Of 44,360 tanks and water bodies, works had been taken up in 28,739 and restoration completed in 22,428.

He said Telangana’s 2026-29 plan envisaged irrigation facilities across 17.28 lakh acres at an estimated Rs. 46,110 crore. He urged the Centre to assist eligible irrigation projects, reservoir restoration and land acquisition, besides facilitating environmental clearances and inter-State water matters.