HYDERABAD, NOV. 17. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti has hailed the High Court stay on construction of the Pulichintala project across the Krishna.

The TRS coordinator, K. Yadagiri Reddy, said the High Court stay had vindicated the party's stand on the project which had been taken up without proper clearances. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, had laid the foundation-stone without taking into consideration the interest of people of Telangana.

`Consult allies'

He said it has been the wish of the people of Nalgonda and Guntur that the project should be constructed some distance away from the present site. The Government should consult all friendly parties and take permission from the Centre.

Mr. Reddy said the Government should determine the share of Krishna and Godavari waters for the three regions before taking up new projects. The construction of the Pulichintala project would not create additional ayacut but submerge 25,000 acres of existing ayacut, he added.

Referring to the statement of the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the TRS leader said he had suggested that only those projects, which give immediate benefit, be taken up on a priority basis. The Sriramsagar and Nagarjunasagar flood flow canals, Guthpa, Alisagar and Bhima lift irrigation schemes and excavation of the Srisailam project tunnel works should be completed so that 8 lakh acres of additional ayacut is created, he pointed out.

Ruling hailed

The Struggle Committee Against Pulichintala welcomed the court ruling, saying going ahead with work without permission was "dictatorial" and "illegal." T. Hanumandlu and P. Yadagiri of the committee said in a statement that the court decision "reflected people's opinion.''

Meanwhile, the Telugu Desam Party reiterated its support to the project and wanted the Government to obtain all clearances.

Reacting to the court order, the party leaders -- T. Seetharam and G. Sukhender Reddy-- said the Government should make all-out efforts to get the stay vacated and secure permissions.

CPI(M) blames State

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) said that the stay was the result of the "haste" with which the Government was taking up irrigation projects without ensuring "adequate safeguards."

The party's State secretary, B.V. Raghavulu, told The Hindu in Vijayawada that the Government's commitment on "jala yagnam" aimed at completing the pending irrigation projects could not be doubted. "But at the same time, it should take adequate care to see that there are no obstacles in taking up works," he added.

..Hindu