PROTECT STATE INTEREST IN KRISHNA WATERS: BANDI

BJP state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Thursday requested Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to protect the interests of Telangana state with regard to sharing of Krishna river waters between TS and Andhra Pradesh. He met the Union minister in New Delhi in this regard and submitted a memorandum.

He informed Shekhawat that the Andhra Pradesh government on May 5, 2020, issued an order giving administrative approval for a series of irrigation schemes worth over `7,000 crore aimed at drawing an additional quantity of six to eight TMC of water per day from Srisailam, which would be detrimental to the interests of Telangana.

Sanjay Kumar said that the act of the AP government is highly objectionable and illegal as per the AP Reorganisation Act of 2014. He pointed out that under the Act, any new irrigation project or upgradation of existing projects by either state (AP or TS) on River Krishna should have the approval of Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) and the Apex Council.

The state BJP chief brought to the notice of the Union minister that in the 12th meeting of the KRMB, AP had been directed not to go ahead with its projects till detailed project reports (DPRs) are not gone through by the board and Central Water Commission, and sanctioned by Apex Council.

He told Shekhawat that despite the direction from KRMB, the AP government has issued tender notifications last week for constructing the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project.