KRMB Writes to Jal Shakti on Enhanced Capacities of Projects in Krishna Basin
The representation also cited the preparation of DPRs by Telangana without obtaining any mandatory approvals from it, the Central Water Commission and the apex council
Vijayawada: The Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) has written to the Union jal shakti ministry, seeking enhancement of capacities of the projects in Krishna Basin.
The representation also cited the preparation of DPRs by Telangana without obtaining any mandatory approvals from it, the Central Water Commission and the apex council.
In the note addressed to the senior joint commissioner of the department of water resources on Tuesday, KRMB stated that the board has come into existence on 02-06-2014. As per the terms of 85(8) (d) of AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, it said, new projects should ensure that “these do not negatively impact the awarded water availability for the projects that were already completed or taken up before 02-06-2014.”
In the second apex council meeting held on October 6, 2020, the jal shakti ministry stated that “until the award of KWDT-II is published, the allocations made under KWDT-I shall continue to remain in force.”
It was stressed that the six projects listed in Schedule-XI of the APRA-2014, which do not have water allocations under KWDT-I, should obtain water allocations through KWDT-II.
The apex council was also informed that, out of the 34 new projects taken up by the two states on Krishna and Godavari rivers, only two of Telangana had obtained hydrology and inter-state clearances while two other projects of Telangana were included in the APRA-2014.
As per the ministry’s notification dated July 15, 2021 and its amendment dated April 1, 2022, all the ongoing and completed unapproved projects were required to be appraised and approved within one year by March 31, 2023, failing which such unapproved projects would cease to operate.
Until approval, the ongoing unapproved projects were supposed to stop on the date of publication of the notification, except for the six projects listed under paragraph 10 of XI Schedule of APRA, 2014 as exempted vide notification of MoJS dated July 27, 2022.
Such an ‘unapproved project’ has been defined under explanation below para 1(d) of the MoJS notification, 2021.
The tribunal has been given extension for addressing terms of reference specified in clause (a) and (b) of Section 89 of APRA, 2014.
The additional terms of reference include project-wise specific allocations by the tribunal for existing, on-going and completed projects of both the states. Such a project-specific allocation in respect of on-going and new projects of both the party states is awaited.
At the 19th board meeting, the entity’s chairman stated that since the matter of implementation of notification of jurisdiction of KRMB is currently under consideration of the Supreme Court, a decision on the same cannot be taken by the board.
However, the viewpoints of both states on the issue should be recorded.
The board observed that since the matter of implementation of notification of jurisdiction of KRMB is currently sub judice, this being in the apex court, a decision cannot be taken by the board at this stage.
The instant reference from AP was forwarded to Telangana and it was reminded, but there has been no response from them.
