AP wants cordial relations with neighbours: CM Jagan Mohan Reddy

Participating in the Rythu Dinotsavam celebrations, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that the state government would draw its rightful share of Krishna river water in the interest of farmers. He added that he wants to maintain cordial relations with all the neighbouring states of Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Rayadurgam: Affirming that the Andhra Pradesh government wants to maintain cordial relations with neightbouring states, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that the government would draw its rightful share of Krishna river water in the interest of farmers.

Participating in the Rythu Dinotsavam celebrations and on the occasion of the birth anniversary of his father and former chief minister Dr. YS Rajasekhar Reddy on Thursday, the Chief Minister said that the water issue should not be politicised as farmers of all regions are the same. Of late, the water issue has come to the fore and has been widely debated in the media. He added that he wants to maintain cordial relations with all the neighbouring states of Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Adding further, he said the allocations of Krishna waters to the three regions of Rayalaseema, Coastal Andhra, and Telangana were clearly earmarked when the state was united and a tri-partite agreement was signed by Centre, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on June 19, 2015, clearly earmarking the river water allocations following the AP bifurcation.

Jagan said, according to the agreement, Pothireddypadu will not get water unless the water level at Srisailam rises to the full capacity of 885 feet. During the past 20 years, setting aside the previous two years, water touched the mark hardly for 20 to 25 days. However, Palamuru Ranga Reddy, Dindi, and Kalwakurthi projects were drawing water even though the water level is 800 feet and are even generating hydel power at 796 feet, then there is nothing wrong if Andhra Pradesh also does the same by claiming its rightful share of water through the lift irrigation project, CM added.

Hitting out at former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu over the issue, the Chief Minister asked why the TDP leader was silent when the Telangana government started Palamuru Ranga Reddy, Dindi and other projects.

Read:Andhra CM urges Centre to permit execution of Rayalaseema Lift Scheme