Naidu Neglected Krishna Water Issue: YSRCP

Blaming TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu for the under-utilization of surplus Krishna waters during his term as Chief Minister, YSR Congress has said that he owes an apology to the people of the state as his polices always benefitted the neighbouring state since he lacked vision and has no understanding of irrigation, agriculture and farmers.

"He did not complete a single project that was envisioned by NTR. He conceded the rights over the surplus Krishna water, and allowed Karnataka to increase the height of the Almatti dam, enabling it to capture an additional 133 TMC of water, meting out grave injustice to farmers of the state," party leaders Vasireddy Padma and Gattu Ramachandra Rao told reporters on Saturday.

While Naidu's track record on the irrigation front is dismal, he is also leveling false allegations against YSR that an affidavit was given on the issue, which resulted in the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal verdict going against the state.

"This is a total distortion of facts. YSR has contended that the lower riparian state has the freedom to utilize the surplus water and flood waters as well. Had Chandrababu Naidu built projects on the Krishna surplus waters during his term, things would not have come to such a pass," they said.

It was YSR who had taken up projects under Jalayagnam to rectify the mistakes committed by TDP's rule, and had started seven projects on a fast track as he could foresee that the right over surplus water would be forfeited by the state if it was silent.

The spokespersons said that in the affidavit, YSR had contended that the state has the freedom to utilize the surplus waters and flood waters. They added that the TDP is distorting facts and trying to shift the blame on to YSR.

"YSR had given a budgetary allocation of Rs. 32,000 crores for irrigation, which was an unprecedented amount," they recalled.

"Naidu, on the other hand, headed the state as a World Bank agent, and did very little for agriculture and irrigation. He allowed the Karnataka government to increase the height of the Almatti dam from 591 m to 524.4 m, thereby increasing the capacity from 170 TMC to 303 TMC," they said.

"The TDP chief should apologise to the people of the state for neglecting the Krishna water issue while he was at the helm. The party is prepared for a debate on any forum," they said. (INN)