Protect Telangana's Krishna water rights, Deputy CM tells Centre at Zonal Council meet

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Thursday urged the Central Government to safeguard the State's rights over Krishna river waters and provide support for major irrigation projects. He made the remarks during a strong presentation of the State's position at the Southern Zonal Council meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Mahabalipuram.

Mr. Vikramarka said Telangana was not seeking any special privilege with regard to Krishna waters but only its fair entitlement through existing legal mechanisms. He stressed that the State should be protected against unilateral actions that could harm the interests of downstream States. “Established adjudicatory mechanisms must be respected and the same principles should be applied to all riparian States,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister referred to Karnataka's complaint against Telangana's Palamuru-Rangareddy and Nakkalagandi lift irrigation schemes. He reiterated that Telangana retained its lower riparian rights over surplus waters. The allocation of Krishna water between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is currently before the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II), and Telangana is firm that the issue should be resolved through legal and adjudicatory processes.

Mr. Vikramarka also appealed for central financial support for the Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Rangareddy lift irrigation schemes (PRLIS). He explained that rehabilitation of barrages was being pursued for Kaleshwaram, while revival of the Pranahita-Chevella and Tummidihatti projects was underway. He said central assistance was required for completing PRLIS works to make it fully operational.

On pending issues related to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, the Deputy Chief Minister said Telangana's approach was to seek a fair, time-bound and legally sustainable resolution. He noted that several disputes between the two Telugu States remained unresolved even 12 years after bifurcation, including the division of Schedule IX and X institutions and matters not covered by the Act. “Telangana has already communicated its views on these institutions and is willing to settle the matter in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganisation Act,” he said, adding that settlement should happen within the statutory framework.

He stressed that resolution should not mean endless correspondence or fresh interpretations every few years. “Telangana's position is that the long-pending reorganisation issues should now move towards final decisions and implementation,” he averred.

In a lighter vein, Mr. Vikramarka observed that while States naturally compete for investment, industry, jobs and talent, some issues do not respect borders. “Problems cross borders faster than government files do,” he said, referring to river waters, power grids and the movement of workers and businesses.

He asserted that cooperation among southern States would become even more important in addressing challenges like water security, energy, climate resilience and urbanisation, which transcend boundaries. He said the Southern Zonal Council provides a platform for such cooperative efforts even as States compete on developmental parameters.