Former minister M. V. Mysoora Reddy has demanded that the Andhra Pradesh Government take steps to allocate Krishna river water to projects like the Galeru-Nagari and the Handri-Neeva in Rayalaseema to cater to the drinking water and irrigation needs of the region.
‘Discontent’
Dr. Reddy said there was a feeling of discontent among people of Rayalaseema as the N. Chandrababu Naidu Government’s focus on development was confined to a few pockets. People of the region had been feeling discriminated against ever since the Telugu Desam Party Government took the reins of the State after bifurcation.
Dr. Mysoora Reddy, along with former MLAs of united Andhra Pradesh V. Sivarama Krishna Rao and Madanmohan Reddy, addressed separate letters to Mr. Naidu and Opposition leader in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, seeking their response to the charges on non-allocation of water to Rayalaseema in spite of the huge savings achieved through projects like Pattiseema.
‘Within the award’
Dr Reddy demanded that the Chief Minister keep his promise of diverting Krishna river water to Rayalaseema through the Srisailam project as the government succeeded in harnessing the Godavari water through Pattiseema.
As 80 tmcft of water was being diverted to the Krishna delta through the Pattiseema, the projects like Chintalapudi phase II and Mahasangamam that were aimed at inter-linking the Krishna, Godavari and Pennar would help save water.
There was no scope for upper riparian states raising objections to diversion of Krishna water to Rayalaseema as the allocation was within the quota allocated to the State under the water tribunal award.
Dr. Mysoora Reddy wondered why the Opposition leader had not raised the issue of injustice to Rayalaseema within and outside the Assembly.
