Hyderabad, January 04: The state government will convene an all-party meeting to discuss the implications of the verdict of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) before filing a review petition before the tribunal within the stipulated time of three months. The government does not want to take any hasty step to resolve the issue without examining all aspects of the issue carefully.
Speaking to reporters here today after a review meeting with the chief minister, major and medium irrigation minister P Sudarshan Reddy said that the judgement of the Krishna Tribunal had both positive and negative implications for the state. Andhra Pradesh received 190 tmcft of assured water in addition to the existing allocation of 811 tmcft and another 190 tmcft of surplus water.
“We are discussing the pros and cons of the verdict before taking any final decision. But we will certainly go in for an appeal within two months against portions of the verdict that are not beneficial to us,” he said.
Sudarshan Reddy said that a team of irrigation experts and officials had been engaged to study the impact of the KWDT’s award announced last week. “We will consult political parties and seek their suggestions before filing an appeal to the tribunal,” he said.
Further, the officials have been directed to prepare proposals to ensure optimum usage of water allocated to the state. The government is also planning to launch irrigation projects if required.
The government is little worried about the impact of increase in the height of the Almatti dam by Karnataka on the state. The minister said that it would not be a big problem for the state as the tribunal was appointing a regulatory board to prevent excess use of water by the riparian states.
The government is likely to request the tribunal to ensure that the Karnataka government does not maintain more than 130 tmcft at the Almatti dam and release water to Andhra Pradesh to fulfil its obligation.
—Agencies