Hyderabad: With TS and AP failing to reach consensus on the Krishna water issue, the Centre has decided to constitute a committee to oversee distribution of waters.
This was conveyed to TS irrigation minister T. Harish Rao and his AP counterpart Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao by Union water resources ministry special secretary Amarjit Singh when they met him on Thursday morning in New Delhi.
The ministers shook hands, smiled at each other, but stuck to their guns for the third straight day. Later, accusing the AP government of being adamant, Mr Harish Rao said that the TS government would not take or give a drop extra of water.
“We have no objection if the Krishna River Management Board regulates irrigation projects in both the states. AP’s arguments are unjustified and its demands strange. They have no intention of following a give-and-take policy,” he said.
Mr Harish Rao insisted that besides its regular allocation of 299 tmc ft, TS should get 90 tmc ft as its share of the water utilised by AP for two projects and besides 15 tmc ft from additional drawal.
“We can’t do anything but continuing with existing allocation till Brijesh Kumar Tribunal award. Till then Centre should implement t he Bachawat Award. While we want both states to work in tandem, AP is taking unilateral decisions,” he added.
However, Mr Devineni Uma said that the Union water resources ministry could understand the complex water issue due to discussions during the last three days and how to implement AP Reorganisation Act.
“First priority is drinking water and subsequently irrigation needs. However, ignoring the water needs of Rayalaseema, power is being generated in Srisailam. The Act has to be implemented in letter and spirit,” he said.
