The state government has decided to call for short tenders for the pending projects in Krishna delta. Earlier, tenders were called for two times but there was no response from the contractors. The government is very keen on Krishna delta modernisation projects and proposes to start them by April-end. Delta modernisation would help strengthen the drainage system and farmers who are not getting water for the tail-end lands will be benefited. Observing lukewarm response from the contractors, the government at one stage opted for nomination method in which works will be awarded with the discretion of the authorities. But the government has stepped back on this idea fearing attack from the Opposition. After discussing the issue with irrigation officials, the Chief Minister, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, asked them to call for tenders as he was not interested to go for nomination method as it may give room for criticism from the Opposition parties. It is learnt that the Chief Minister instructed the officials to complete the process of tenders within a week. There are totally five packages worth Rs 370 crore in Krishna delta. The irrigation department is also facing another hurdle in executing the delta works in the scheduled time. Untimely rains have created much trouble for them as the canals are brimming. It will take at least 20 days to dry up the canals to take up the modernisation works.