Jagadish Reddy Lambasts Jagan Regime Over Water Row

Telangana Power Minister G Jagadish Reddy today criticised the Jagan government for "hindering irrigation projects and power generation" in the state.

Talking to the media about the matter, the minister accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy of indulging in a "malicious campaign" against the KCR government by accusing the government of running its power generation projects in an unfair manner.

Demanding that the AP regime immediately withdraw its GO 203 pertaining to irritation projects, he then asked why the government had issued orders for the continuation of several irrigation project works "illegally", without first securing the requisite clearances and permissions.

Reddy claimed, "We are following all the norms outlined in the AP Reorganisation Act of 2014 in our use of the waters of the Krishna basin to generate power and for irrigation purposes. The government of AP, on the other hand, has shown blatant disregard for all established norms and guidelines and has continued with its illegal projects despite the objections of the Krishna River Management Board, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Centre. It has not yet stalled the works at its Rayalaseema and Pothireddypadu lift irrigation projects which are both illegal since they fail to comply with the rules set by various bodies."

"These projects will significantly hamper Telangana's interests if continued. How then can the Jagan government claim to be the victim? Why has it approached the Centre and gone to the Supreme Court? Such actions are condemnable when our government has always been helpful to AP. We had extended help to the state in the past by agreeing to a generous water sharing system. However, it is the Jagan regime that is creating problems and then also moving the Supreme Court," the leader fumed.

Continuing his attack on the Jagan regime, he added, "The Rayalaseema and Pothireddypadu projects are a ploy to loot our share of water. However, we will not allow this to happen. We will fight against such injustice. The Jagan regime cannot ignore the directions of the NGT which has already warned it to stop the project works several times. The Telangana government is ready to address the issue amicably without any skirmishes. This does not mean we will give up our rightful share of the waters. Both states must follow NGT and CWC (Central Water Commission) directions and norms and must not indulge in the illegal construction of any irrigation projects."