Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], September 23 (ANI): Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday mentioned the state was preventing for an equitable share of Krishna River waters earlier than the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) and positioned a declare for almost 70 per cent of the water earlier allotted to the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh, as per a launch.
He addressed the media in New Delhi, the place hearings resumed on September 23, and said that the matter had reached its closing stage, with Telangana presenting its concluding arguments since February of this 12 months.
The Minister defined that the tribunal proceedings had been being held underneath Section 3 reference and that every one pleadings had already been accomplished. Telangana has been presenting its closing arguments over the previous a number of months by way of senior advocate S Vaidyanathan, who has been allotted three days to argue the state’s case intimately.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said that it was maybe unprecedented in India for a sitting Irrigation Minister to personally attend tribunal hearings, which mirrored the seriousness with which the Congress authorities was pursuing the difficulty. He made it clear that Telangana was decided to safe its justifiable share and proper the historic injustice it had suffered previously.
Outlining the allocations made earlier, Uttam Kumar Reddy recalled that the KWDT-II had awarded 1,005 TMC of Krishna waters to the then united Andhra Pradesh, which included 811 TMC at 75 per cent dependability, 49 TMC at 65 per cent dependability, and 145 TMC from common flows. Additionally, 45 TMC was allotted from the Godavari diversions, bringing the whole to 1,095 TMC. The tribunal had additionally granted permission to make use of waters in extra of the common flows. Telangana, which was carved out of the united state of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, is now searching for a contemporary allocation primarily based on basin parameters.
The Minister said that Telangana’s declare was primarily based on rational and internationally accepted parameters, together with catchment space, inhabitants throughout the basin, the extent of drought-prone areas, and cultivable land. Based on these calculations, Telangana has demanded 555 TMC out of the 75 per cent reliable waters, 43 TMC from the 65 per cent reliable waters, 120 TMC from the common flows, and the total 45 TMC from Godavari diversions. Altogether, this quantities to 763 TMC of dependable water for Telangana, along with the freedom to utilise the whole surplus over common flows.
Uttam Kumar Reddy harassed that these figures weren’t arbitrary however primarily based on scientific and equitable sharing rules which might be recognised globally in river water disputes.
He criticised Andhra Pradesh for earmarking a good portion of its en bloc allocation of 811 TMC for outside-basin diversions. Telangana, he mentioned, had positioned a robust plea earlier than the tribunal to restrain Andhra Pradesh from such practices and direct it to utilise alternate water sources which might be obtainable. ‘The water thus saved should be diverted to Telangana to serve our drought-prone in-basin areas. Our state can’t be denied its truthful entitlement whereas one other state continues to divert water out of the Krishna basin,’ he mentioned.
Uttam Kumar Reddy additionally underlined that Telangana had a proper to liberty in utilising the whole remaining waters of the Krishna above the common flows, and that the state would press this declare strongly earlier than the tribunal. He described the demand as a official corrective measure to a long time of unfair therapy. He said that the current hearings provided a possibility to handle the injustices suffered by Telangana for the reason that days of united Andhra Pradesh.
The Minister got here down closely on the earlier BRS authorities, alleging that it had compromised the state’s pursuits by agreeing in writing to an allocation of solely 299 TMC to Telangana, whereas allotting 512 TMC to Andhra Pradesh. ‘This association was accepted for almost ten years underneath the BRS administration. It was a betrayal of Telangana’s farmers and drought-prone districts. We have reopened the difficulty as a result of we can’t be sure by such an unjust deal. Our declare of 763 TMC stands in sharp distinction to the mere 299 TMC accepted earlier,’ he mentioned. He alleged that the sooner settlement was acknowledged by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and said that Telangana had formally rejected it after the change of presidency.
Uttam Kumar Reddy additionally referred to the political unity required for the battle, saying that no matter which get together governs neighbouring states, Telangana wouldn’t compromise on its rights. ‘Whether Karnataka has a Congress authorities, Andhra Pradesh a TDP authorities or Maharashtra a BJP authorities, Telangana will battle uncompromisingly for its justifiable share. Not a single drop of Telangana’s rightful water can be given up,’ he declared.
He strongly opposed Karnataka’s transfer to extend the peak of the Almatti Dam, warning that such a step would instantly hurt Telangana’s pursuits. He mentioned the state authorities would strengthen its argument within the Supreme Court to problem the proposal and forestall Karnataka from going forward. ‘Our authorities’s stand may be very clear -Telangana won’t allow any motion that reduces its share. We will strategy the Supreme Court to make sure that Karnataka will not be allowed to lift the Almatti top,’ he mentioned.
The Minister said that the current Congress authorities had taken up the matter with utmost seriousness, with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy himself is reviewing the case and offering clear directions to pursue it vigorously. ‘The Chief Minister chaired an in depth briefing on the difficulty and directed us to battle absolutely for Telangana’s share. This is not only a authorized battle, however a battle for the survival of our drought-prone districts and the welfare of our farmers,’ Reddy mentioned.
He expressed confidence that justice could be served for Telangana, stating that every one the details had been introduced earlier than the tribunal. ‘We are assured that the tribunal underneath Justice Brijesh Kumar will recognise the injustice executed to Telangana and ship a good allocation. We are decided to safe justice in each Krishna and Godavari waters,’ he mentioned.
Uttam Kumar Reddy assured the folks of Telangana that the Congress authorities wouldn’t compromise underneath any circumstances. ‘Whether it’s reliable flows, common flows, surplus waters or Godavari diversions, Telangana will declare its rightful share. Historical injustice can not proceed any longer. We will battle this case until the top and be certain that Telangana will get its due,’ he mentioned. (ANI)