The Apex council with Union Minister of Water Resources as Chairperson and the Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as members to resolve river water disputes between the two States will not protect the interests of downstream State farmers.
Farmers’ Federation (AP) president and former AP Drainage Board Member Yerneni Nagendranath said nothing short of river valley authorities with autonomy similar to that of the Election Commission of India was needed to protect the interest of the downstream State farmers.
“What will the Chief Ministers of AP and Telangana do if Karnataka does not release water? The Chief Ministers are obliged to follow the demands of the people of their respective States. In Telangana, there is the TRS that is committed to the people of the State, but there is no such party in AP. The priorities of parties like the TDP, Congress and the BJP that have a presence in both States are bound to be different,” Mr. Nagendranath said.
“Whether they will take a decision in time and in the best interest of the people is doubtful in these circumstances. A single authority is necessary to manage river water. A technical body that knows what is best for the people of all States is necessary. The Brijesh Kumar Tribunal in its recent order recommended the formation of a single authority that will manage the water of a particular river in all States,” he added. He suggested that irrigation be included in the Concurrent List. Though it is in the State List, clearances for projects are being given by the Centre. He said the Centre was needlessly interfering in irrigation matters.
