BRS Leader Harish Rao Slams Telangana Govt Over Krishna-Godavari Water Rights
Senior BRS leader T Harish Rao has launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Telangana government, accusing it of failing to protect the state's rights over the Krishna and Godavari rivers. In a press conference held at the assembly on Monday, the BRS deputy floor leader alleged that while neighboring Andhra Pradesh is pushing plans to illegally utilize Godavari water, the Telangana administration has remained silent, effectively undermining its own constitutional safeguards.
Allegations of Inaction and Dangerous Claims
Harish Rao pointed to a meeting held in Delhi on January 30, where senior irrigation officials from both states convened. He claimed that Andhra Pradesh used this platform to advance a plan aimed at eroding Telangana's water rights. Most alarmingly, he stated that Andhra Pradesh is now arguing that the Bachawat Tribunal did not allocate Godavari water between the two states—a position he termed dangerous and unacceptable.
The BRS leader revealed that the minutes of this meeting, which have been in the Telangana government's possession for over a month, clearly document Andhra Pradesh's stance. "Today is March 16. More than a month has passed since the meeting minutes were received. Why has the government not responded to the injustice being done to Telangana?" Harish Rao questioned, highlighting the administration's apparent lethargy.
Constitutional and Tribunal Implications
Harish Rao emphasized that page 3 of the meeting minutes explicitly records Andhra's claim that no inter-state allocation of Godavari water exists. He warned that if the Telangana government continues to remain silent, it could be interpreted as tacit acceptance of this argument, setting a perilous precedent.
He further challenged the logic behind Andhra Pradesh's position by posing critical questions:
- How can the Central Water Commission approve 76 projects across various states in the Godavari basin if the Bachawat Tribunal had not made allocations?
- Under what authority can the Godavari River Management Board question a tribunal award that is backed by constitutional provisions?
Harish Rao asserted that defying the Bachawat Tribunal award is tantamount to defying the Constitution itself, representing a direct violation of Telangana's water rights.
Criticism of Government Strategy and Historical Context
The BRS leader also criticized the Telangana government for attending the Delhi meeting, despite earlier stating that participation would only occur if issues like Godavari and Banakacherla were excluded from the agenda. This move, he suggested, indicates a lack of strategic coherence in defending state interests.
Reflecting on the BRS's tenure under former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Harish Rao recalled consistent efforts to correct historical injustices in water sharing from the united Andhra Pradesh era. He outlined key achievements:
- The BRS government pursued the Krishna Water Tribunal to ensure a fair redistribution of Krishna waters.
- Telangana's rights in the Godavari river under the Bachawat Tribunal award were firmly protected, with allocations of 968 TMC to Telangana and 518 TMC to Andhra out of 1,400 TMC total.
- To secure Telangana's share, the BRS administration undertook large-scale irrigation projects and obtained approvals for initiatives utilizing nearly 400 TMC of water.
Harish Rao's statements underscore a deepening political rift over water resources, with the BRS positioning itself as the defender of Telangana's interests against what it perceives as governmental inaction. The issue remains a focal point in state politics, highlighting the ongoing complexities of inter-state water disputes in India.
