Hyderabad: Former minister T Harish Rao alleged that the Telangana govt has failed to protect the state’s water interests ahead of the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) meeting scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on August 18. He said that the agenda proposed by AP contains several issues that directly threaten Telangana’s irrigation projects and long-term water security. He questioned why the state govt had not publicly responded despite having sufficient time since the agenda was circulated.Addressing a news conference at Telangana Bhavan on Wednesday, the BRS leader alleged that AP has sought a review of the approvals granted to seven important Telangana irrigation projects, including Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, Choutuppal Hanumantha Rao Project, Chinna Kaleshwaram, Chanaka-Korata, Modikunta Vagu, Kadem Gudem Lift Irrigation Scheme and the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Scheme. He also claimed that AP had proposed reconsideration of the clearances granted to the Sammakka barrage.Harish Rao stated that these projects had already secured statutory approvals after detailed scrutiny by the competent authorities and questioned how proposals seeking their review has been included in the GRMB agenda. He argued that Telangana had secured approvals for projects designed to utilise 383 tmcft of Godavari waters and said that the present Congress govt had not obtained approval for a single new irrigation project since assuming office.The BRS leader questioned whether the state govt was prepared to allow approvals secured during the previous BRS administration to be diluted or withdrawn. He said Telangana’s irrigation future should not be compromised and described the inclusion of such proposals in the GRMB agenda as unacceptable.Harish Rao demanded that chief minister A Revanth Reddy immediately clarify the Telangana govt’s position on the issues proposed for discussion at the GRMB meeting. He also called upon central ministers from Telangana and BJP leaders to publicly state their stand on the issue and protect Telangana’s water interests. He asserted that BRS would launch a statewide movement if Telangana’s water rights are compromised.
