Telangana govt pushes for 50% Krishna water share

By Our Special Correspondent

The Telangana government on Tuesday demanded that the Ministry of Water Energy convene a meeting after it broke with an export notice issued by the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to continue the Krishna River water distribution arrangements at a ratio of 66:34 for the year 2022-23. A meeting of all stakeholders to decide on the legal requirements of the Pink State.

Telangana has already sought a 50% stake in the guaranteed waters of 811tmcft in the Krishna River. Irrigation special Secretary Rajat Kumar said in a letter to the water Ministry secretary that an advance date for the meeting could be suggested before the start of the monsoon season.

Despite the insistence of Telangana authorities to give 50% share in Krishna river waters, KRMB decided in May this year to maintain the ratio of 66:34 even for the current water year. KRMB has issued an ex-parte notice to maintain water sharing arrangements in the ratio of 66:34 for the 2022-23 water years. This action of KRMB is not legally valid as the Board has the power only for negotiations and mutual agreements written by Rajat Kumar.

It may be recalled here that Rajat Kumar had a recent meeting with water power officials and explained the needs of Telangana. In his letter, he requested the Ministry of Water Resources to resolve the issue by setting up a shareholders' meeting to consider the legitimate needs of the state of Telangana and the solutions to the pending issues through a fair and equitable tribunal.

Special Chief Secretary Jal Shakti said that the request made by Telangana to address the issue under Section 3 of the Interstate River Water Disputes Act, 1956 was pending at the centers for allocating a fair and equitable share in the Krishna River waters to the new state. Instead of diverting Godavari water from Polavaram, the power ministry has decided to use 45tmcft of Krishna water, which is not in the Telangana state basin, to address other long-pending demands.

According to the Bachawat Tribunal award, only 20% of the draws made for drinking water supply were for consumption, Rajat Kumar wrote.