HYDERABAD, NOV. 8. The Telugu Desam Party today accused the Government of "deliberately" neglecting the ongoing irrigation projects in backward regions, particularly Telangana, and demanded priority to them even while taking up new ones.

At a press conference here, the party leaders --T. Devender Goud, M. Venkateswara Rao, P.Chandrasekhar and G. Sukhender Reddy -- criticised the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, for going on a "foundation stone-laying spree" without clearly spelling out how the Government proposed to mobilise funds to complete them.

While Rs.3,800 crores was earmarked for Irrigation in this year's budget, the cost of each of the proposed projects ranged from Rs. 2,000-3,000 crores. The leaders feared that no project would finally be completed with the available funds getting distributed among the on-going/new projects.

The TDP leaders wanted the Government to prioritise the works by giving preference to on-going projects in backward regions and disclose how the funds would be mobilised. They were not against taking up Pulichintala and Polavaram projects, but wanted the Government to give priority to projects in backward regions.

At another press conference, N. Rajakumari, TDP women's wing president, accused Dr. Reddy of using intemperate language against the opposition which was not befitting his status.

..Hindu