Demand for KRMB office in Kurnool

PNS|Vijayawada

The Rayalaseema Saagu Neeti Sadhana Samithi has gathered the support of MLAs, MLCs, and MPs to their demand for establishing the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) at Kurnool opposing the government’s decision of starting KRMB at Visakhapatnam.

RSNSS president Bojja Dasaratharami Reddy said that MLAs from Panyam, Pattikonda, Kodumur, Kurnool, Nandyal, Proddatur, Mydukur, MP from Nandyal, Nominated MLC from Kadapa, Ex MLA from Proddatur, Agriculture Advisor to AP Government have written letters to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to reconsider the proposal to establish KRMB at Visakhapatnam. He said that their RSNSS also wrote a letter to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to reconsider KRMB at Vizag and establish the same at Kurnool.

Dasarathrami Reddy said that the KRMB has been established as per the AP State Bifurcation Act – 2014 in the state of Andhra Pradesh to ensure proper management and operation of projects constructed on the Krishna River. He deplored that the purpose of establishing KRMB will be defeated and it does severe injustice to the people who are dependent on the projects constructed on Krishna River if it fails to work at Kurnool as it would enable KRMB to closely monitor the various projects at Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, etc which would be in close proximity.

Dasaratharami Reddy said that various political parties, Farmers Associations operating in the Krishna River Ayacut area, and RSNSS unanimously agreed that the ideal location of KRMB to be Kurnool but the Government of AP has not reconsidered its stand. He defended that there were a lot of causes and reasons to establish KRMB at Kurnool. He explained that the claim to establish KRMB at Visakhapatnam or Vijayawada does not stand, as Krishna Delta is predominantly getting water from the catchment area below the Nagarjuna Sagar, and the balance 80 TMC of water from the diversion of Godavari water through Pattiseema project.

Dasaratharami Reddy said that AP State Bifurcation Act 2014 has approved the ongoing projects, Telugu Ganga, Handri Neeva, Galeru Nagari, and Veligonda, in combined Andhra Pradesh State that is predominantly dependent on Srisailam Reservoir. Hence Srisailam Reservoir has a significant role to play in the regulation of Krishna water. He stated that MLAs Hafeez Khan, Dr J Sudhakar, Rachamallu Siva Prasad Reddy, S Raghurami Reddy, Silpa Ravinchandra Kishore Reddy, K Rambhupal Reddy and K Sridevi, Nandyal MP P Brahmananda Reddy, MLC R Ramesh Yadav and others wrote letters to CM Jagan. Dasaratharami Reddy and other leaders said that the majority of legislators and leaders are seeking KRMB at Kurnool and sought CM Jagan to fulfil the demand.