The minor irrigation minister, Mr T.G. Venkatesh, said that the state was not able to use its share of Tungabhadra waters due to illegal use by Karnataka.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Friday, he said that photos relating to illegal water use by Karnataka would be gathered through satellite and the issue would be brought to the notice of that state Chief Minister.

Mr Venkatesh said that he had already spoken to the Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, and added that the Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, would also speak to Mr Gowda.

To stop Tungabhadra water theft by Karnataka, either another canal has to be dug or the existing canal has to be widened to bring back water illegally being used by that state, Mr Venkatesh said.

He said that the illegal ayacut in Karnataka should be recognised as an ayacut.

Mr Venkatesh said that steps would be taken to construct lift irrigation schemes to divert Tunga-bhadra waters to make the riparian area of the river green.

The minister said it was not the Congress culture to kill people, adding that it was the culture of the Telugu Desam.

Responding to the statement of the YSR Congress president Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, that his family and he should be shot dead instead of harassing them, Mr Venkatesh said that this was not the culture of the Congress.

He said that the Congress had not killed any person despite a huge agitation for a separate state in the Telangana region. Mr Venkatesh said that the Congress would rule in a democratic manner and would implement welfare schemes. He said that posts would be filled as per the promises made by government.

He said that power generation had suffered a jolt due to the Telangana movement and the supply demand gap still continued.

To tide over the power crisis, wind power units and gas-based power generation projects would be set up, Mr Venkatesh said.