Andhra Pradesh to challenge Krishna water allocation in Supreme Court

Vijayawada: Minister for water resources Ambati Rambabu on Saturday underlined that the state government has requested the Central government to address the obstacles it is facing over Krishna River water distribution.

He asserted that they are prepared to fight a legal battle over the allocation of Krishna water. They will approach the Supreme Court if necessary.

Addressing a press conference in Vijayawada on Saturday, the minister emphasised that Section 89 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act has already prescribed the terms of reference (ToR) of the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal in relation to the water allocations to Andhra and Telangana states.

Rambabu said: “It is not possible to formulate new terms of reference. They are illegal and not acceptable. We strongly condemn these unfair and illegal terms of reference. I would like to disclose that the state government has decided to take legal action on this issue. The gazette notification has been published even after Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy wrote letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah in advance. State government will soon approach the Supreme Court with a special leave petition on the new procedures for Brijesh Kumar Tribunal. We are determined to fight the legal battle.”

The minister explained that according to a decision of the Bachawat Commission Tribunal in 1976, 811 TMC of Krishna water had been allotted to united Andhra Pradesh. According to project-wise agreement between both the states, the Centre agreed to allocate 299 TMC of water to Telangana and 512 TMC to Andhra.

“Now, with the latest decision of central Jal Shakti department, Andhra Pradesh will lose its water share. The decision to give new terms of reference to the Brijesh Tribunal is illegal, as the tribunal has been set up to settle minor water disputes,” Rambabu stated

He declared that the state government will not stand still when the Centre’s decision is causing injustice to farmers of Andhra Pradesh.

“We will fight legally and get our rights,” he asserted.

The minister recalled that in 2004, the Centre appointed the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal regarding utilisation of surplus waters between the riparian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. After hearing all, the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal submitted its report to the centre in 2010.

The then united Andhra Pradesh government filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court saying the tribunal’s decision will cause damage to the AP. Supreme Court stayed application of the tribunal’s decision.

Subsequently, rest of the states involved also filed SLPs in the Supreme Court. The matter is pending in the apex court.