In a setback to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal ruled that there was no need to re-allocate the river water among all four riparian states, including Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The tribunal has clarified that the two Telugu States can share the waters and Karnataka and Maharashtra have nothing to do with it. While giving four weeks’ time to the four states, the Tribunal adjourned the case to December 14.
Of 811 TMC feet allocation of surplus water, the share of AP is 512 TMC feet while that of TS is 299 TMC feet. The TS government has been demanding additional 300 TMC ft for its various projects.
The Telangana Government has expressed disappointment at the verdict and is most likely to move the Supreme Court to protect its interests of rightful allocation of Krishna waters as per AP Reorganization Act. Reacting to the tribunal verdict, TS Government Advisor and irrigation expert Vidyasagar Rao expressed dismay. The tribunal did not take into consideration the arguments of the TS government on sharing of the Krishna waters, Rao told the media in New Delhi after the verdict.