R.K. Gupta, who is currently member-secretary of the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA), has been elevated to the post of the Chairman, Krishna River Management Board (KRMB).
Orders to this effect were issued by the Union Ministry of Water Resources on Wednesday.
In the absence of a full-time Chairman, the KRMB was functioning with Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) Chairman R.K. Jain holding additional charge. Meanwhile, Mr. Jain was appointed as the CEO of the PPA.
With the onset of summer, the KRMB will be playing a crucial role in the distribution of the Krishna waters, particularly from the common reservoirs – Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar – between the States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
After bifurcation, the two States have been at loggerheads over sharing of the waters and other issues such as granting of jurisdiction (physical and administrative control) to the KRMB as per the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2104.
The fixing of telemeters at crucial inlets and exits have also been a matter of dispute.
Neither of the States are in a position to heed to the orders issued by the KRMB in the light of pressures from the water users.
The issue of water-sharing even took a political colour with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) making use of it in the recent Assembly elections in that State.
The appointment of Mr. Gupta, who is familiar with the issues of the two States, is being seen as a welcome sign.