The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Congress, TDP trade charges over Alamatti

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Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Congress, TDP trade charges over Alamatti

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JULY 19 . The Alamatti issue was raised in the Assembly today even as farmers launched an agitation at Prakasam barrage in Vijayawada, demanding that water for Krishna delta be released.

The issue figured under a query raised by Gade Venkata Reddy of the Congress during question time. Legislators across party lines expressed concern at the plight of delta farmers and said an ayacut of 35 lakh acres in different regions depended on the charity of the Alamatti. Members of the Congress and Telugu Desam traded charges, with the former accusing the Government of failing to convince Karnataka or to obtain an appointment with the Prime Minister for an all-party delegation. The latter criticised the Leader of the Opposition, N. Chandababu Naidu, for his "inefficiency," saying it was during his tenure as United Front convener that the height of the Alamatti had been increased. They said he did nothing to resolve the Alamatti tangle later, as a partner of the NDA, though he was "dictating terms to the then Prime Minister."

The Major Irrigation Minister, P. Lakshmaiah, in his reply ruled out increased releases to Krishna delta and the Right and Left canals unless replenishments came from Alamatti. He said the "comfortable mark" at which the dam could help the delta and the canals was 510 ft, and 520 ft was the point at which discharge would be at full capacity. However, storage was available up to only 494 ft, he said.

The Finance Minister, K. Rosaiah, intervened to reject a proposal by Mr. Naidu for the House to adopt a unanimous resolution on Alamatti, which could be submitted to the Prime Minister by the all-party delegation. Mr. Rosaiah said such a resolution would not be without repercussions. Yielding later, he said the suggestion was under consideration.

T. Devender Goud of the Telugu Desam said this was the best time for resolving the Alamatti issue, as the Congress was in power at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Mr. Naidu said the Government "should get at least 50 tmcft from Alamatti to save the situation," pointing out that Alamatti had released about 10 tmcft to Narayanapur after being full.

G. Kishen Reddy of the BJP, and D. Narender Kumar and P. Janardhan Reddy of the Congress, participated in the debate.

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