The Hindu : Lively sparring over Krishna

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 08, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Lively sparring over Krishna

By Our Special Correspondent

Chennai April 7. "Where is Krishna?" This furious question by the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, in the Assembly today sparked a lively debate on the fate of the Krishna scheme for supplying water to Chennai.

It all began with a DMK member, participating in the debate on the grants for the Public works department, claiming that it was his leader, M.Karunanidhi, who had allotted more funds for the Krishna scheme, which was launched during the MGR regime.

Instantly on her feet, Ms.Jayalalithaa shot back: "Where is Krishna? Where is the water?" Matching her wit, the DMK deputy leader, Durai Murugan, said: "The water that is flowing through the Telugu Ganga canal and reaching Chennai is Krishna water."

Even as the Opposition Benches burst into laughter, the Chief Minister, not willing to be outwitted, hit back: "That is precisely what I am asking. Where is the water? Is it coming?"

With the sparring game taking an exciting turn, a grinning Mr.Durai Murugan retorted: "So, you own up your failure. Then, you depute me (to get Krishna water)?"

Just as the Chief Minister rose to make a point, the Speaker, K.Kalimuthu, came up with a witty interjection: "So, do you want to join their party?" The Treasury Benches loudly thumped the desks, but Mr.Durai Murugan countered with sarcasm. " I only wish to show that I can do what this Government is unable to accomplish."

Thereafter, the PWD Minister, O.Paneerselvam, sought to set the record straight, saying it was the previous Jayalalithaa regime which released Rs. 321 crores out of Rs.521 crores given to Andhra Pradesh for implementing the Krishna project. Also, it was her erstwhile government which allotted the maxium funds — Rs. 117 crores out of Rs.189 crores — spent on laying a canal between Kandaleru and the Poondi reservoir on the Tamil Nadu side.

`Drop Veeranam scheme'

The PMK representative from Idappadi, I. Ganesan, made a forceful plea for dropping of the new Veeranam scheme, and said what was rejected by the MGR regime should be followed by the present AIADMK government too.

He argued that the tank's capacity, even after improvements, would be less than 1.5 tmcft. "Krishna water is the only solution to Chennai water problem. So far, we have not received our due of 12 tmcft in a year and the maximum we got was 6.6 tmcft. The Government should see to it that we receive the total share and the Krishna water project is completed".

Responding to his observations , Mr. Paneerselvam pointed out that various works under the project had been completed. In view of the poor storage in Andhra Pradesh reservoirs, Chennai was not receiving any supply this year.

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