Revanth Reddy blames KCR for pending inter-State water disputes with Andhra Pradesh

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy blamed his predecessor K Chandrashekhar Rao for Telangana’s river water woes, alleging that he gave up the State’s share to Andhra Pradesh. After a Delhi meeting with Union Minister CR Patil, a committee is being formed to resolve disputes

Hyderabad: In a fresh attempt to deflect growing criticism against the Congress government over the Banakacherla project in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy once again laid the blame squarely on his predecessor, K Chandrashekhar Rao, for the prolonged deadlock.

He alleged that the former Chief Minister handed over Telangana’s rightful share in river waters to Andhra Pradesh and allowed the latter to exploit water resources.

---

Speaking after a meeting convened by Union Minister for Jal Shakti CR Patil to explore a resolution framework for Krishna and Godavari river water issues in Delhi on Wednesday, Revanth Reddy targeted the previous BRS government for the inter-state river water disputes.

He claimed that while former Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Rao sacrificed Telangana’s rightful share in river waters to please his friends in Andhra Pradesh, the Congress government was now making efforts to clean up the mess and find permanent solutions.

He alleged that after the Apex Council meeting in 2020, the then Chief Ministers Chandrashekhar Rao and YS Jaganmohan Reddy failed to implement its decisions.

“We have resolved four issues and will continue,” he said, crediting his meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for the achievement. He said only political opportunists from both States were opposing their meeting for political gains.

Further, the Chief Minister clarified that this was not an Apex Council meeting, but an informal discussion aimed at clearing the logjam. A committee of officials and engineers drawn from both States will be appointed shortly, with a 30-day deadline, to resolve key issues on the Krishna and Godavari waters.

He refuted the announcement by Andhra Pradesh Irrigation Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu that a decision has been taken to appoint a committee on the Polavaram-Banakacherla linkage.