Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the Telangana government would complete three irrigation projects linked to the YSR vision. He made the announcement at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy Awards-2026 ceremony in New Delhi.
Revanth Reddy named the Pranahita-Chevella, SLBC and Kalwakurthy lift irrigation projects. He said the government would dedicate the completed projects to the people of Telangana.
The Dr YSR-KVP Foundation organised the event at Constitution Club. Revanth Reddy said the three projects represented Dr YSR’s vision for Telangana. He also said the projects would provide irrigation to 16 lakh acres.
The programme honoured the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation for its contribution to Indian agriculture, food security and sustainable rural livelihoods. The foundation received the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy Award-2026 during the event.
Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge attended the programme. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Tummala Nageswara Rao and Vivek Venkataswamy also participated.
Meanwhile, MP Jairam Ramesh, MLC B. Mahesh Goud and KVP Foundation president K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao were among the other participants.
YSR vision recalled through farmer welfare measures
Revanth Reddy thanked the organisers for holding the event in memory of Dr YSR. He recalled YSR’s efforts for farmers during his political career and said the late leader remained concerned about rural livelihoods.
The chief minister referred to YSR’s 2003 Praja Prasthanam padayatra. During the march, YSR travelled across Telangana in intense summer heat, he said.
Revanth Reddy said YSR undertook the march to understand the problems faced by poor people and farmers. According to him, YSR decided to provide free electricity to farmers to uphold their self-respect.
Furthermore, Revanth Reddy recalled that YSR signed the file for free power soon after taking office. He also said YSR waived ₹1,300 crore in electricity dues at the time.
Revanth Reddy added that the cases filed against farmers over the dues were withdrawn. As a result, he said, YSR earned a special place among farmers.
The chief minister also linked the public distribution system to YSR’s legacy. He said the system aimed to provide basic food security to poor people in rural areas.
Revanth Reddy said the PDS framework was introduced during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure. He added that the system supplied rice, wheat and other essential commodities.
Today, Telangana was providing free fine rice to 3.40 crore people, Revanth Reddy said. Each beneficiary was receiving six kilograms of rice, he added.
Moreover, the chief minister credited the Congress-led PDS framework for the current free rice programme. He described the initiative as part of efforts to fulfil what he called YSR’s last wish.
The award ceremony also recognised the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation for its work in agriculture and rural livelihoods. The Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy Award-2026 was presented to the foundation during the programme.
దివంగత మహానేత డాక్టర్ వైఎస్ రాజశేఖర రెడ్డి గారి ఆశయమైన ప్రాణహిత–చేవెళ్ల, ఎస్ఎల్బీసీ, కల్వకుర్తి ఎత్తిపోతల ప్రాజెక్టులను పూర్తి చేసి తెలంగాణ సమాజానికి అంకితం చేస్తామని ముఖ్యమంత్రి శ్రీ @revanth_anumula గారు చెప్పారు.
✅డాక్టర్ వైఎస్సార్-డాక్టర్ కేవీపీ ఫౌండేషన్ ఆధ్వర్యంలో… pic.twitter.com/NqjXDNFhc7
— Telangana CMO (@TelanganaCMO) September 2, 2026
