`Joke of millennium': KCR calls out Centre for interlinking Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Rao has called out the Centre for announcing to interlink Krishna, Godavari, and Cauvery rivers without seeking the consent of the stakeholders.

In her budget speech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that Draft Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of interlinking five rivers, Damanganga-Pinjal, Par-TapiNarmada, Godavari-Krishna, Krishna-Pennar, and Pennar-Cauvery, have been finalized.

"Once a consensus is reached among the beneficiary states, the Centre will provide support for implementation," said Nirmala Sitharaman.

Terming it a joke of the millennium, KCR demanded that the Modi government explain its policy on river interlinking and the Centre's powers.

"There is a Bachawat Tribunal verdict that the Telugu States have all rights on Godavari River water after the latter enters the respective States. How can you violate the Tribunal verdict which is equal to the Supreme Court judgment? Why has she announced it in the Budget when there is no consensus in the first place?" he asked.

He pointed out that the river interlinking cannot be taken up without declaring the surplus waters. He asked on what basis did the Centre came to a conclusion on surplus waters in both Krishna and Godavari rivers.

"We have submitted all reports along with relevant documents, but the Centre has not responded. If not bluffing the people of the nation or attempting to intimidate the States in violation of the federal system of this country, how can the Centre take up interlinking of rivers without the consent of the States concerned?" the Chief Minister asked.

He said due to bad policies of the Centre, there were water wars between the states as well as several parts of the nation suffering drinking water crisis.

He also pointed out that the SC and ST population in the country was around 38-40 crore, but the union government allocated a mere Rs 12,800 crore in the budget for their welfare. "It is far less than what Telangana allocated for SC ST sub-plan. This is pathetic. Telangana is spending Rs 33,611 crore for SC and ST sub-plans in addition to allocations made for the Dalit Bandhu and other schemes," he said.