In an effort to provide water to the tail-end areas, the irrigation department has proposed to construct eight mini lift-irrigation projects on the left bank of River Manair in Odela mandal in Peddapalli division. The mini lift-irrigation schemes will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4.21 crore to provide water to 1,195 acres spread in six villages in Odela mandal. The farmers of the tail-end areas of Madaka, Pothkapalli, Roopnarayanapet, Baya-mpalli, Indurthy and Gudem will be benefited by the projects. Meanwhile, the minister for major irrigation, Mr Ponnala Lakshmaiah, set the stones for the proposed eight projects at Pothkapalli village on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Lakshmaiah said that the proposed mini projects were sanctioned to irrigate about 1,200 acres in six villages of the mandal. Instructions have been issued to complete the mini projects in six months, he said. A total of 8.49 lakh acre would come under the irrigation cover in addition to the exiting irrigation potential of 8.71 lakh acre in the district after the completion of the ongoing irrigation projects, he said and added that the district would secure the top position in the irrigation sector at the state level with an estimated irrigation cover of about 17.20 lakh acre after Jalayagnam. A total of 16 lakh acre of additional ayacut had already been created following the completion of 12 projects worth about Rs 32,000 crore as part of Jalayagnam in the state. Referring to a reports containing allegations of irregularities in award of project works, Mr Lakshmaiah said, "The allegations are baseless and false. The irrigation project works are being executed in a transparent manner.' When asked about the day in the execution of the Sripadasagar project works, he the major irrigation minister said, "There is a lull in crush gates manufacturing due to factors like availability of very few manufacturers. We are taking all measures to expedite the process.'