Andhra Pradesh’s economy will be shattered if Telangana completes the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy and Dindi ( also known as Nakkala Gandi) lift irrigation schemes on the Krishna river, said the Congress.
The State would become deficit in water required for drinking, irrigation and industries. It would also fall short of hydel power that was essential for the growth of the State, the party said.
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president N Raghuveera Reddy on Wednesday convened a meeting with leaders of the Congress Kisan Cell from all the 13 districts to discuss the impact of these two irrigation schemes on the State. After a marathon debate, the party passed some resolutions and also announced an action plan to bring the issue to the notice of the general public, particularly the farmers of nine districts — four Rayalaseema and five coastal districts — who would be impacted badly.
PCC leaders N. Tulasi Reddy, Devineni Rajasekhar, K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao and Kanumuri Bapi Raju interacted with representatives from different districts.
Public meetingat SrisailamBriefing the media after the meeting, Mr. Tulasi Reddy said the party demanded that the ruling Telugu Desam Party lead an all-party delegation to New Delhi to the Prime Minister, Union Water Resources Minister and the Central Water Commission (CWC) to ask them to take immediate steps to stop work on these projects.
He asked the Telugu Desam government to act fast. The Telangana government had violated provisions of the Bachawat Tribunal and the A.P. Reorganisation Act. According to the Act, neither of the Telugu States should take up new irrigation projects without the approval of the CWC, the Apex Council and the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), he said.
A delegation led by Mr. Tulasi Reddy and Congress Kisan Cell convenor Ravi Chandra Reddy would undertake a tour of all the nine districts April 11.
A public meeting would be held at the Srisailam dam on April 23 to highlight the imminent danger to the State, Mr .Tulasi Reddy said.
