Amaravati, February 25, 2026: Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu informed the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council that the state government recruited 1,033 laskars on an outsourcing basis.
This move addresses critical vacancies in irrigation management, ensuring that water reaches every acre during the 2025-26 agricultural season.
When the coalition government took office, only 1,517 laskars served against a sanctioned strength of 7,224, due to unfilled retirements.
The minister highlighted steps to strengthen the system, including clearing ₹9.16 crore in salary arrears from the previous administration and raising daily wages from ₹350 to ₹550.
Salaries now come directly from the budget rather than water cess collections. He criticised the prior YSRCP regime for neglecting recruitment and payments, while assuring repairs to locks and shutters along channels for better efficiency.
