Telangana to adopt two-pronged strategy to counter AP's moves on Banakacharla project
The State Government has decided to adopt a two-pronged strategy to counter Andhra Pradesh' moves to construct the Banakacharla project envisaging diversion of Godavari water to Krishna and Penna basins as it is detrimental to the interests of Telangana.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has asserted that his government has resolved to take up a political battle against construction of the project that is aimed at diverting 400 tmc ft of Godavari water to Krishna and Penna basins for catering to the needs of Rayalaseema and Nellore and Prakasam district. This will be followed by a legal battle if necessary as the Congress Government is committed to protect the interests of Telangana. 'We will go to the people if there is no result even then,' he said.
The Chief Minister launched a trenchant attack on BRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao claiming that he had laid the foundation for the Banakacharla project assuring his government's full cooperation in diversion of Godavari water to make Rayalaseema fertile.
'Mr. Rao has informed the Apex Council on river management in 2016 itself that 3,000 tmc ft of Godavari water is going waste into the sea and this water can be harnessed for catering to the needs of Rayalaseema,' he said citing the minutes of the Apex Council meeting.
He accused the BRS president of mortgaging the interests of the State to AP agreeing to allocation of 299 tmc ft of water from Krishna river to Telangana and 511 tmc ft to AP. 'BRS is now trying to revive itself by spreading false propaganda against the government, which is building up a strong case in support of our interests,' he said.
He explained that the government had submitted representations to Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Finance Ministry and other Ministries like Environment Ministry as part of the strategy. 'The courts can raise objections if proper procedure is not followed. Therefore, we have submitted our representations to all the statutory institutions like river management board and Ministries,' he said.
The Chief Minister said that AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu should not feel confident of getting permission for projects his government proposed owing to his closeness to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'We have our strategy,' he said.
He advised Mr. Naidu to give a blanket No Objection Certificate to Telangana for utilisation of 1,000 tmc ft of Godavari water and another 500 tmc ft of Krishna water before going ahead with the project. 'We will not be bothered about the projects in AP if a blanket no objection certificate is given to Telangana allowing it to utilise its justified share of water,' he averred.
Mr. Revanth Reddy criticised the BRS leaders for ignoring pending projects on Krishna and Godavari rivers in their 10-year-rule in spite of spending ₹2 lakh crore on irrigation projects.
'Surplus water in Godavari came into picture as Mr. Rao colluded with contractors in lure of commissions and ignored the pending projects are key to sustenance of irrigation in Telangana. If anyone has to be punished for the injustice to Telangana, it is Mr. Rao and his nephew and former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao,' he said.
Substantiating his charge, the Chief Minister cited the Medigadda and other barrages of Kaleshwaram project that suffered damages resulting in flow of water down to AP. This was in addition to the acceptance of the BRS Government to projects like Rayalaseema lift irrigation projects, Pothireddypadu and Muchumarri that enabled the neighbouring State to draw huge quantities of water from the two rivers.
Will not trust Kishan
Responding to queries, the Chief Minister said that he would not trust Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who skipped the all important meeting convened by the State Government claiming that he had doubts on the integrity of Mr. Kishan Reddy. 'Why did he meet Mr. Patil secretly when he preferred to skip the meeting?' he asked.
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