The Hindu : Karnataka News : A.P. projects: Opposition members stage dharna

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 02, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

A.P. projects: Opposition members stage dharna

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, APRIL 1. The Opposition in the Legislative Council today staged a dharna demanding that the Government adopt a resolution against the Andhra Pradesh Government's reported plans to start works on 15 irrigation projects in the Krishna and Godavari basins for "illegally" utilising 75 tmcft of waters ignoring the rulings of the respective river water dispute tribunals.

In the marathon discussion on the issue, the Leader of the Opposition, D.H. Shankaramurthy, M.R. Tanga (BJP) and M.P. Nadagouda of the Janata Dal (United) suggested that a resolution be adopted.

Besides, the Government should make efforts to enlist the support of Maharashtra, Orissa and Chhattisgarh, as the "illegal" irrigation projects of Andhra Pradesh are detrimental to the interests of those States also.

Resolution

Dr. Tanga, Basavaraj Bommai (JD-U) and others said: "The Government should first adopt a resolution to condemn Andhra Pradesh's "illegal act." Then, it should start fixing steel plates to the uncovered gates erected atop the Alamatti Dam without being concerned over the legal and political consequences.

The five metre high gates will successfully stop the water flow to Andhra Pradesh and change the scenario."

In his reply to the discussion, the Leader of the House and Minister for Water Resources, M. Mallikarjun Kharge, explained the Government's efforts, including its correspondence with the Centre and the Andhra Pradesh Government, to protect its rights to utilise the waters in the Krishna and the Godavari basins.

Ad hoc permission

"The tribunal has given ad hoc permission to Andhra Pradesh to utilise the additional waters. But the Andhra Pradesh Government has started works on many permanent irrigation projects such as Telugu Ganga, Srisailam Left Bank Canal, Srisailam Right Bank Canal, Bheema Lift Irrigation and Pulichintala projects by misusing the tribunal's ad hoc permission for utilising 75 tmcft of additional waters and expediting works on its projects," he said.

"The State's rightful interest is wedged between those of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Contrary to the Andhra Pradesh Government's approach, we believe in democratic measures and have been working in that direction within the framework of the Constitution."

All-party team

"The Government will lead an all-party delegation to the Centre and there is no reason to adopt any resolution by the House," Mr. Kharge said.

Not satisfied with the reply, the Opposition members pleaded that the issue should not be viewed from a political angle. The resolution will strengthen the hands of the Government. It is a question of life and death for the farmers in the Krishna basin, covering 70 per cent of the land in the State.

They were ready to accept the resolution drafted by the Government.

The matter merited a State-sponsored bandh, like the one observed over the Cauvery row, they said.

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