KCR briefs Guv on Srisailam dispute

Bitter power dispute between two States reaches Raj Bhavan for solution

• KCR explains how AP is denying rightful share in power to TS
• GO 233 allows drawal of water up to 834 ft in Srisailam dam
• Power generation only to save standing crops of farmers in distress

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao called on Governor E S L Narasimhan on Sunday and sought his intervention to resolve the bitter power dispute with Andhra Pradesh.

During his meeting with the Governor, KCR briefed him extensively on the files related to the issue. He explained how the Andhra Pradesh government had violated the GOs 69, 107 and 233 relating to the use of water from the Srisailam project.

Rao tried to impress upon the Governor that the power generation from the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) was very much within the rules as stipulated by the GOs. He complained that the Andhra Pradesh government had been time and again talking about the GOs number 69 and 107, without mentioning the GO No 233 issued in 2005. The GO issued in 2005 allows drawing of water up to 834 feet from the reservoir.

The CM also reportedly discussed with the Governor about the missive from the Krishna River Water Management Board to the Telangana government and the latter’s response to it.

KCR also dwelt at length on the ‘indifference’ of the AP government in ensuring supply of 54 per cent of power generation to Telangana, as per the AP State Reorganisation Act. He said that the Telangana government was generating power from Srisailam project as a last resort to save the standing crops of Telangana farmers who were also reeling under heavy debts due to the loss of crops for several years.

Prior to Rao meeting the Governor, Andhra Pradesh Irrigation Minister D Umamaheswara Rao briefed him over the continued power generation at Srisailam by Telangana. "We met Governor and told him that water levels at Srisailam are coming down. It is alarming that it is coming down to 856 ft. The ayacut of SRBC in Rayalaseema needs to be protected,” he said.

Telangana Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao told reporters today that AP government did not talk about another GO (No 233). "They are only talking about GO 107. But the YS Rajasekhara Reddy government had issued GO 233 as well. I ask why the Seemandhra leaders are not talking about the GO 233. If we observe GO 233, we will understand whether the rules are being flouted by Andhra Pradesh government or by the Telangana government. GO 233 was brought by modifying GO 69 and GO 107," he said.