In March 2015, Telangana Irrigation minister T Harish Rao opposed the construction of Pattiseema Project planned by Andhra Pradesh government on Godavari . He gave an elaborate explanation on why Telangana is opposed to Pattiseema. In the past one year, much water has flown in Krishna and Godavari rivers. Recently, Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao appreciated his Andhra counterpart for completing the Pattiseema Project on time. While making presentation in Assembly on irrigation project designs he was contemplating, KCR praised Naidu for the completing the project in one year.
As for Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, in July 2015 he wrote two letters to Prime Minister complaining against Palamuru -Ranga Reddy and Dindi lifts and the letters created big commotion in Telangana . But, TDP stopped talking about the project later. There appears to be some mutual understanding between TRS and TDP governments over these projects.
But, Andhra Pradesh Congress is crying foul. Palamuru-Ranga Reddy and Dindi projects, if completed, would deny water to lakhs of acres of land in Andhra Pradesh , says AP Congress Kisan Cell president K Ravichandra Reddy.
In his view Naidu’s acquiescence to these projects will spell disaster for Andhra Pradesh. He has suggested Naidu to stop his disregard for these project and take efforts to stall these projects. Talking to reporters on Sri Rama Navami day, he said it was high-time that Naidu convened an all party meeting to discuss the fallout of Telangana projects on Andhra Pradesh. He alleged that Naidu had been maintaining silence since he was involved in the cash-for -vote case and urged the CM not to mortgage farmers’ interests for personal benefits.
Reddy said none of the projects contemplated by Telangana government on Krishna had clearance from the CWC.
In the light of Naidu’s alleged indifference and KCR’s aggressive irrigation policy, Andhra Pradesh Congress is organizing a farmers’ convention near project site in Srisailam on April 23, 2016 Hundreds of farmers and Congress workers from eight districts, dependent on Krishna water, will participate in the convention. APCC president N Raghuvira Reddy will preside the meeting ” If Chandrababu doesn’t work to stop these projects, Congress would launch an all out battle and ensure that these projects, which are inimical to the interests of Andhra farmers, are stalled,” Ravichandra Reddy said.
