Telangana government shoots off letter alleging bias by KRMB

HYDERABAD: State government expressed its “dissatisfaction” over “ineffective and unprofessional” working style of Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) in last three years, especially its “biased and partial” attitude towards Andhra Pradesh. Irrigation minister T Harish Rao dashed off a three-page letter to Union water resources minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday. KRMB has been in existence over three years now and it is time to take stock of its functioning, Harish Rao told Gadkari in his letter and wanted him to see that the effectiveness of KRMB was enhanced. “KRMB had been ineffective and at times even biased and partial. The situation is mainly due to unprofessional approach of KRMB and partly, at times due to unaccommodative stand taken by AP. In the long run,  this state of affairs may lead to avoidable complications,” he said and pointed out seven decisions of KRMB in his letter to buttress his argument.  

‘KRMB half-hearted’
KRMB failed to release optimum quantity of water stored in Srisailam to Nagarjuna Sagar Project (NSP) in current water year to meet requirements of both the left bank (AP and TS) and right bank (AP) farmers. Efforts made by KRMB had been half-hearted and ineffective to stop further drawls from Pothireddypadu head regulator. 

‘Srisailam power release’
KRMB had equated non-consumptive use of water from Srisailam power houses by both states as violation of water release orders. The contention of KRMB on power generation made by Telangana is inappropriate. AP had grossly violated water release order issued by KRMB and used more than the allocated 5 tmcft water through Pothireddypadu, whereas TS drew more water through Srisailam to store water in downstream Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir for providing drinking and irrigation needs of both the states.

‘Biased attitude of KRMB’ 
TS had requested KRMB for release of 2 tmcft for drinking water needs of Hyderabad on Aug 29, but release order was issued on Sept 11. Further, another indent was placed before KRMB for 15 tmcft towards drinking water needs of Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar and Khammam on Sept 27. But, no action was taken, whereas indent placed by AP on October 6 was sent to TS by email on a holiday for comments. 

‘Delay in  installing telemetry’
In the meeting conducted by MoWR in 2016, clear instructions were given to KRMB for installation of telemetry stations within two months to measure utilisation of two projects namely Srisailam and NSP. But, KRMB proposed only 18 telemetry stations (14 in TS and 4 in AP) and failed to commission a single station till date.

‘Tampering data’  
Further, TS complained to KRMB about tampering of data at Pothireddypadu telemetry station and requested for action. It also requested to file a criminal complaint against the agency and to terminate its contract. But, no action has been initiated till date.

‘Priority to NSP’ 
KRMB ought to give first priority to supply water to NSP for drinking and irrigation needs. Instead, it allowed to store water Srisailam up to 885 feet, without allowing the water level in NSP at MDDL. Hence, suitable instructions are required to be given to KRMB to protect NSP command before allowing water level at Srisailam.

‘Corrective action needed’ 
Iin spite of stopping drawls by TS through power house in compliance to KRMB instructions, AP is drawing water through Pothireddypadu. “This is for information and directing officers to take necessary corrective action,” Harish Rao told Gadkari in his letter.

TS puts its water indent before KRMB
Hyderabad: The Telangana Irrigation department submitted its water indent up to July, 2018 to Krishna River Management Board (KRMB). The TS placed indent for 122 tmcft. A letter to this effect was sent to the KRMB member secretary on Monday. The water indent is for Rabi crop and also drinking water needs of TS upto July, 2018. For NSP left canal (zone-1) Rabi crop, they put an indent for 34.5 tmcft of water, 20 tmcft for NSP left canal (zone-2) Rabi crop, 10 tmcft for filling up of tanks under AMRSLBC, 13.78 tmcft for Hyderabad water needs, 14.83 tmcft for Mission Bhagiratha water needs, 3.89 tmcft for existing drinking water schemes and 25 tmcft for Kalwakurthy LIS for Rabi and drinking water needs. A total indent for 122 tmcft indent was submitted by Telangana. Of which, the TS could use 96 tmcft after evaporation losses.