Protect The Irrigation Projects And Farmers

Take suitable measures to protect the irrigation projects and farmers' interest in Andhra Pradesh in
view of the verdict in Krishna River water dispute

DEMAND TO TAKE SUITABLE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE IRRIGATION PROJECTS AND INTERESTS OF FARMERS OF ANDHRA PRADESH IN VIEW OF VERDICT IN KRISHNA RIVER WATER DISPTUE

Justice-Brijesh- Kumar-lead tribunal (II) was set up about six years ago to decide upon the surplus water sharing of Krishna River among Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. The tribunal gave its verdict on December 30, 2010. The award given by the tribunal says that about 1001 tic feet water will be given to Andhra Pradesh, 911 tmc feet water to Karnataka and 666 tmc feet to Maharashtra. From the surplus water, Andhra Pradesh will receive 190 tmc feet, Karnataka will have 177 tmc-feet and Maharashtra 81 tmc feet.

The award came as a shock to Andhra Pradesh, as the State will have to be at the mercy of upper riparian State Karnataka; and, it has lost total right over utilization of surplus water. Even though the tribunal indicated 1,001 tmc feet allocation for a State, a study of the award indicates that no safeguards were ensured for utilizing the water. It would be seen that the Tribunal virtually upheld the strongly opposed by Andhra Pradesh.

With this order of the Tribunal, the construction of seven ongoing irrigation projects, including Nettampadu, Galeru_Nagari, Kalwakurthy, Handri-Neva and Veligonda, on the Krishna River would be grounded and agriculture in the State would be severely affected.

I, therefore, urge upon the Central Government to take suitable measures/ steps to save the above said irrigation projects and also protect the interest of the agriculturists of Andhra Pradesh.