Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister  N Uttam Kumar Reddy called upon young engineers to uphold Telangana’s rich legacy in irrigation engineering. Speaking after launching the 2025 diary of the Telangana AE Association at Jalasoudha, Erramanzil Colony, on Wednesday, Minister Uttam emphasised the importance of dedication, transparency, and commitment in maintaining the department’s reputation as one of the most prestigious in India. 

The Minister highlighted iconic projects such as Nagarjuna Sagar, Sriram Sagar, and Srisailam, describing them as "modern temples" built by previous generations of engineers. "Young engineers must rise as inheritors of this legacy," he said, adding that sincerity and integrity in their work would lead to professional excellence. 

Senior officials, including Engineer-in-Chief Anil Kumar, Deputy ENC K. Srinivas, and association leaders such as Eluri Srinivas Rao and Satyanarayana, attended the event. 

He criticised the previous BRS regime, accusing it of unplanned and unproductive expenditures in the irrigation sector, which plunged it into massive debts. Due to the huge loans the previous BRS regime took out, the irrigation department alone is forced to spend Rs 11,000 annually on loan repayment and interest. "The past government relied on heavy borrowings in the name of projects without delivering tangible results over ten years," he remarked. 

In contrast, the Congress-led administration has adopted the principle of "minimum expenditure, maximum ayacut." This approach focuses on maximising irrigation benefits while keeping costs low. Efforts have been directed toward improving manpower, streamlining infrastructure, and prioritising staff welfare. 

The minister said that over the past year, the government has successfully recruited 700 Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) and 1,800 Laskars. The Public Service Commission has also been granted permission to fill an additional 1,300 positions.