Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao on Friday claimed that the irrigation system developed by the Kakatiya and Asaf Jahi rulers was still the best in the country.
Speaking to media persons after participating in a review meeting at the MCHRDI, Rao said that Telangana had the highest number of lakes and tanks of any state in India. However, the entire system was deliberately neglected and sabotaged by the Andhra rulers in the last 60 years, he alleged.
He said that the state government had launched Mission Kakatiya to revive the entire system. By reviving nearly 9,000 lakes every year, the old system would be brought to life in the next five years, he said.
Rao said that the silt being removed from the lakes could be used as fertiliser, and farmers could save almost 30% in farming.
He added that the government had issued the necessary directions to all the officials to implement the scheme with full commitment. (INN)