AP insists on sharing of Krishna water on 66:34 ratio with Telangana

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh has insisted on continuing the sharing of Krishna water on the existing ratio of 66.34 for the current year too.

This was against Telangana’s proposal for equal sharing of water between the two states on a 50:50 ratio, during a meeting of the Krishna River Management Board in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

A delegation of water resources department officials, headed by engineer-in-chief Venkateswara Rao from AP, water resources principal secretary Rahul Bojja and ENC Anil Kumar from Telangana attended the KRMB meeting. It was presided over by chairman Atul Jain.

AP water authorities said both sides discussed the setting up of telemetry stations. AP promised to give its word to Telangana after holding internal discussion on the issue.

The issue of jurisdiction of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam also has been raised. As the issue was pending in court, no decision has been taken.

The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is supposed to be handed over to the KRMB. Andhra Pradesh has informed the Telangana side that once they do so, AP will also follow suit. However, as the issue is pending in the Supreme Court, both sides would maintain the status quo for now.

On the proposal from Telangana for withdrawal of CRPF personnel from the dam, it was noted that the force was deployed by the Union home ministry. Telangana expressed its intent to urge the central government to withdraw the force.

AP water resources ENC, Venkateswara Rao, said, “We insisted on continuing the existing position of water sharing between AP and TG on a 66.34 ratio this year. KRMB accepted our proposal.”