We want cordial ties with neighbours: Jagan amidst water row with TS
Affirming that the Andhra Pradesh government wants to maintain cordial relations with the neightbouring states, Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday said they will draw their rightful share of river water in the interest of the farmers.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 8 July 2021 1:07 PM GMT
Rayadurgam (Anantapur): Affirming that the Andhra Pradesh government wants to maintain cordial relations with the neightbouring states, Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday said they will draw their rightful share of river water in the interest of the farmers.
Participating in the Rythu Dinotsavam celebrations, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. Y.S Rajasekhar Reddy here on Thursday, the Chief Minister said the water issue should not be politicized as farmers of all regions are the same. Of late the water issue has come to the fore and is widely debated in the media.
He said AP had no intention of raking up issues with any state but wanted to maintain cordial relations with the neighbouring states of Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. "We will not interfere in their affairs but some ministers and MLAs of Telangana have been talking tall of late," he added.
Jagan pointed out that when the state was united, the allocations of Krishna waters to the three regions of Rayalaseema, coastal Andhra, and Telangana were clearly earmarked. After the state was bifurcated, a tri-partite agreement was signed by the Centre, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana on 19 June 2015 clearly earmarking the river water allocations, he said.
Unless the water level at Srisailam rises to full capacity of 885 feet, Pothireddypadu will not get water, Jagan said, adding during the past 20 years, setting aside the previous two years, water had hardly reached that level for 20 to 25 days. "We cannot draw water unless the level reaches 881 feet in Telangana. Palamuru Ranga Reddy, Dindi, and Kalwakurthi projects are drawing water even when the water level is 800 feet and are even generating hydel power at 796 feet. When Telangana can draw water at 800 feet, what is wrong if Andhra Pradesh also does the same by claiming its rightful share of water through lift," he asked.
Training the guns on TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister said he who was silent for some time has started to talk on the issue. "What I would like to ask him is why he did not open his mouth during his term when the Telangana government started Palamuru Ranga Reddy, Dindi, and other projects," Jagan asked, and added, "We will not interfere in the affairs of other states and it would be better if the relations between neighbours are good."
