Act says that the Centre must handle entire water management TPCC manifesto against division Act

The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee has made certain promises on the irrigation front that go against the principles of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

Ironically, the manifesto was released by Union minister Jairam Ramesh, who claims to have pioneered the Act in general and a unique mechanism for water management in the two states. He repeatedly asserted that the mechanism evolved by the Centre would ensure smooth dis- tribution of river waters between the two states.

The TPCC drew grandiose plans for tapping Godavari waters though the entire water management would be done by the Centre on both the Godavari and the Krishna.

According to the manifesto, the Congress, if voted to power in Telangana, will set up a Godavari Valley Authority for utilisation of resources of the Godavari for comprehensive development of Telangana. It will be taken up in a stepladder manner so as to create maximum irrigation potential and also navigation in the region, the manifesto said.

The manifesto also made a specific reference to the Palamuru lift irrigation scheme for which the last AP government had allocated a few lakhs of rupees, indicating token approval of the project.

The Reorganisation Act, however, was very clear that the entire water management would be in the hands of the Centre. It also evolved a mechanism wherein an apex council, river water management boards for Godavari and Krishna waters and official committees would carry out the activity.

The apex council will have on board the Union water resource minister and the CMs of the two states and its duties would include supervision of the functioning of the Godavari and Krishna River Water Management Boards, planning and approval of proposals for construction of new projects, if any, and resolving disputes arising out of water sharing through negotiations and mutual agreement between the two successor states.

The boards, with the help of the Central Industrial Security Force, will regu- late water supply from the projects to the two successor states and for hydel power supply. The Act is very clear that construction of new projects and completion of ongoing projects will also be looked after by the boards as per the Centre’s notification.

TPCC chief and former irrigation minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah, however, said the authority would look after the management of water sources and inland navigation within Telangana. He said the boards would come into the picture when there was a dispute between the two states.