Jupally accuses Andhra of flouting norms in Krishna water use at Srisailam

Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has accused the Andhra Pradesh government of violating guidelines in the utilisation of Krishna river water from the Srisailam reservoir.

Hyderabad: Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao charged that Andhra Pradesh government was violating norms in utilisation of River Krishna water from the Srisailam reservoir and undertaking power generation disregarding Telangana’s interests.

These charges bear significance as Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had repeatedly assured that Telangana’s interests in River Krishna water sharing would be protected.

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Addressing media persons at Gandhi Bhavan on Tuesday, the Excise Minister stated that guidelines prohibit power generation after the water levels in the reservoir reach the Minimum Drawdown level of 834 feet (254.2 metres).

“These norms are being overlooked. As a result, Telangana’s irrigation and drinking water requirements are being adversely affected,” Krishna Rao said.

He further expressed concern that repeated representations to the Andhra Pradesh government had not yielded results. They were unresponsive, he said. Public representatives from erstwhile Mahabubnagar district had collectively conducted a ‘Vanta-Varpu’ programme at Srisailam to highlight the issue. It was organised to safeguard the interests of farmers and residents in the Krishna basin, he stated.

“The Andhra Pradesh government halted power generation only after these concerns were strongly articulated,” Krishna Rao stressed. He reiterated that the State government remained committed to protecting Telangana’s interests and would take all necessary steps in this regard.