Vijayawada:Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu disputed the argument of his Telangana counterpart K. Chandrasekhar Rao that the decision made by the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal, the implementation of which was pending in the Supreme Court, would govern the operation of the KRMB once it becomes operational.
Referring to the TS CM’s letter he said, “It was opined in this letter that operation of Section 87(1) is governed by the decision to be made by the Krishna Water Disputes (Justice Brijesh Kumar) Tribunal (KWDT-II) Extension under Section 89 of A.P. Reorganisation Act 2014” which specifically deals with the board’s jurisdiction over projects. Mr. Naidu held that tribunal award was not an impediment to operation of Section 87(1). He said the Section provided for regulation of structures in a justified manner without prejudice to any successor State and its inhabitants. Currently, without project-specific allocations, States were drawing water for irrigation, drinking water and power from different projects under provisions of Section 89.
Mr. Naidu said in the absence of control of the KRMB over projects, Telangana, being an upper riparian State, was taking advantage.
