Telangana, AP End Sagar Dispute To Save Crops

Following the intervention of Governor E S L Narasimhan, the Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, K Chandrashekar Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu respectively, agreed to end the ongoing dispute over the sharing of the Nagarjuna Sagar waters.

During the meeting convened by the Governor on Saturday morning at the Raj Bhavan, the Chief Ministers were both firm on their contentions over their respective states' rights over the Nagarjuna Sagar water, but Narasimhan convinced them to find an amicable solution, at least for the time being.

Subsequently, it was agreed that steps would be taken to protect the standing crops in both the states.

It may be mentioned that a major controversy erupted after the Telangana government prevented the AP government from releasing water for irrigation needs to the Krishna delta from the Sagar right bank canal, accusing it of utilising 43 TMC of excess water.

Tension had prevailed at the dam on Friday after the officials and police personnel of the two states tried to gain control over the dam's right bank canal. Following an escalation of tensions, Naidu called up KCR and offered to meet at Raj Bhavan on Saturday to find an amicable solution.

Besides the two Chief Ministers, irrigation ministers Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao (AP) and T Harish Rao (TS), and senior officials of both the states participated in the meeting held at the Raj Bhavan.

Both the states presented their versions before the Governor. The Governor first elicited the individual views of both the Chief Ministers by speaking to them separately. Later, he made Naidu and KCR sit together to find a solution.

Briefing media persons, Harish Rao and Uma Maheswara Rao informed that the talks were successful and that it had been agreed to protect the interests of the farmers of both the states.

They said that the available water in the Nagarjuna Sagar dam would be used judiciously by both the states, in consultation with the Centre.

The Irrigation Engineers-in-Chief (ENCs) of both the states would discuss and decide on the release of the waters.

Only the Irrigation Department officials, and not the police personnel or officials of any other department or activists of any political parties would be allowed near the dam.

The ministers also informed that the Chief Ministers had also agreed to resolve contentious issues by holding direct negotiations.

Further, the ministers and officials concerned would meet from time to time to resolve the disputes, if any. (INN)