Questioning the present arrangement of water sharing between two Telugu states, the Telangana government has demanded its share in Polavaram and Pattiseema waters. The government put forward its forceful argument before the A K Bajaj committee constituted by the Centre to find a solution to the contentious problem of sharing Krishna waters, presently visiting Telugu states. They asked the Committee to decide Telangana’s share in the 80 tmc of Godavari water through Polavaram and 53 tmc through Pattiseema.
Making a power point presentation before the committee, Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao and other officials, said that Telangana, being the successor state, is entitled for its rightful share in these waters.
The officials argued that as per the AP Reorganisation Act of 2014, construction of all irrigation projects should be carried out as per the Act. But, it alleged that the Andhra Pradesh has violated the norms and was going in for design and construction of projects as per its whims and fancies.
The officials further said that till formal allocation to Telangana is made, the ratio of 299 and 512 (excluding Godavari diversion) be maintained in water allocation from common projects as en bloc. Telangana should get 450 tmc of Krishna water out of the allocated 811 tmc to AP, officials told the Committee.
The share of Godavari diversion will be over and above the said ratio, they added and submitted a detailed report on the injustice meted out to Telangana since 1956 on the water allocation.
They deplored that the committee that Telangana got a mere 299 TMC of water and the AP has been given 512 TMC from the total allocation of 811 TMC because the then government in undivided Andhra Pradesh had furnished false information regarding the requirement of water for irrigation and drinking water purposes in Telangana region. The officials argued that Telangana deserved more water allocations in view of increased water requirement.