Harish Rao urges Centre to stop GRMB review of Telangana water project approvals

BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao has urged the Centre to stop the Godavari River Management Board from revisiting statutory approvals already granted to Telangana irrigation projects, warning that such a move would undermine institutional authority and threaten water security in the State.

Hyderabad: BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao sought the Centre’s urgent intervention under Section 85 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, to protect Telangana’s water interests. He opposed Andhra Pradesh’s proposals seeking a review of statutory approvals granted to several Telangana irrigation projects on the Godavari River.

In a representation to Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil on Friday, Harish Rao urged him to direct the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) to withdraw agenda items 18.3.1, 18.3.6 and 18.3.11 proposed for its 18th meeting. He contended that the items sought to reopen approvals already granted by competent authorities of the Union government.

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The former Irrigation Minister argued that the matter went beyond an inter-State water dispute and raised questions over the institutional authority and legal sanctity of the Centre’s own decision-making process. He said the projects had secured Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) clearance from the Central Water Commission and the Ministry of Jal Shakti after technical, hydrological, engineering, environmental and legal scrutiny involving the concerned stakeholders and basin States.

He maintained that once such statutory approvals were granted, the GRMB, which was a subordinate body, could not assume appellate powers to review or seek their cancellation. He felt that allowing it to revisit decisions of the Ministry of Jal Shakti would undermine the authority of the Centre’s technical institutions and create uncertainty over future clearances.

Harish Rao stated that the projects facing the proposed review include Kaleshwaram, Choutupally Hanumantha Reddy, Mukteshwaram, Chanaka-Korata (Rudha), Modikuntavagu, Kadem-Gudem and the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Schemes. These projects underwent the prescribed appraisal process before receiving approval.

He also referred to earlier GRMB proceedings and Ministry of Jal Shakti decisions recognising Telangana’s water entitlements following bifurcation of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. He argued that issues already examined by the CWC could not be reopened indirectly through the GRMB.

Harish Rao cited the Second Apex Council Meeting, held by the Centre, where it was recorded that inter-basin transfers could be undertaken only after meeting the requirements of in-basin projects. He urged the Centre to expedite the remaining statutory approvals for the Sammakka Sagar Lift Irrigation Scheme, whose hydrological aspects have received CWC concurrence.

The senior BRS leader warned that reopening existing approvals could affect irrigation development, drinking water security and farmers’ livelihoods in Telangana. He appealed to the Centre to intervene to uphold the Reorganisation Act, protect Telangana’s water rights and preserve the integrity of the statutory approval process.