Krishna tribunal turns down Andhra Pradesh’s plea
PNS|Hyderabad
The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II has turned down Andhra Pradesh’s plea on restraining Telangana from using 90tmcwater for the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS).
It dismissed the case, saying that the matter was not within its purview and that it should be decided in the proper forum.
Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal -II Chairman Justice Brijesh Kumar; Members Justice Ram Mohan Reddy and Justice S Talapatra at New Delhi heard the Interlocutory Application (IA) that was filed by AP on 08-12-2022 to restrain Telangana from giving effect to GO Rt No 246 dated 18-08-2022 and restrain Telangana from utilising 90 tmcin PRLIS out of 75% dependable flows from the Srisailam reservoir, pending disposal of the present reference to the KWDT-II under section-89 proceedings.
The Tribunal perused voluminous documents filed from both sides and heard their respective arguments. On 2nd February2023, Telangana filed a counter to the IA and later rejoinder by AP, surrejoinder by TS etc. Hearings concluded on 14-07-2023 and orders were reserved by the Tribunal.
On Wednesday, the Chairman pronounced the Order “KWDT-II does not have jurisdiction to hear this IA” and “Liberty given to AP to move appropriate forums”.
It can be assumed that the hurdle of sub judice has been removed for DPR examination of the project in CWC.
Responding to the judgement, State Agriculture Minister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy demanded the Center to immediately settle Telangana’s share of water in the Krishna river. Niranjan said: “This is Palamuru’s victory. PalamuruRangareddyLift Scheme is already approved by Forest, Environment, Mo Tribal Affairs, Central Ground Water Department, Electricity Authority and Central Materials Research Station.Chief Minister KChandrasekhar Rao’s persistence is the reason for this success.
The Center should immediately identify and remove the obstructions of the Palamuru Ranga Reddy lifts”.
Welcoming the judgement, State Minister Dr. V. Srinivas Goud said the Centre should immediately remove all key obstacles to the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift scheme. Minister Dr V Srinivas Goud demanded speeding up of the DPR examination of CWC for the Palamuru project. The Minister said, “Soon we will take up the construction works of canals of the Palamuru Ranga Reddy Lift Scheme. With the help of CM KCR, we will make the erstwhile Mahbubnagar district green.”
