Andhra Pradesh - Kurnool   

Agitation over Srisailam water threatened

By Our Staff Reporter

KURNOOL, JULY 14. The former Telugu Desam MP and the former MLA, Bhuma Nagireddy and Sobha Nagireddy, have said an agitation would be launched if water from the Srisailam reservoir was released to feed downstream projects in Coastal Andhra without the requirement of farmers under the Srisailam Right Main Canal (SRMC) in Rayalaseema being met first.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, they said the Congress was indulging in "doublespeak" over Srisailam water. Before the election, the Congress had raised a hue and cry over the release of water from the reservoir to meet the drinking water needs of people downstream, they said. It was now the "moral responsibility" of the Congress to ensure that water was supplied to Rayalaseema farmers before honouring the commitment made to people of Coastal Andhra.

Mr. Bhuma Nagireddy said they had no objection if water was released for downstream projects after the level in the reservoir had been built up to 854 ft. At that level, the SRMC could comfortably ensure water to Telugu Ganga, SRBC and KC canal, he said. He said the Government was, however, planning to release water by ignoring the interests of farmers under SRMC.

Mr. Reddy demanded that Government strike down Government Order no. 69, which allows the depletion of water from the reservoir from the level of 834 ft. The former MP recalled that he had strained his relations with the party leadership by speaking against the TDP's water policy while it was in power. He said the Congress had raised the hopes by promising water to farmers under the SRMC, and should now ensure that water was supplied to Rayalaseema farmers, he said.

Mr. Bhuma Nagireddy said if the State Government ignored their plea, a delegation would meet the Prime Minister and seek his intervention in the issue.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

• Agitation over Srisailam water threatened

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu