YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy formally launched the three-day Jala Deeksha here on Monday. The deeksha is aimed at opposing the irrigation projects being constructed by the Telangana Government and the inaction of the TDP Government in AP on protecting the interests of Andhra Pradesh.
Jagan, who arrived at the deeksha venue from Pulivendula, was warmly welcomed by MP Butta Renuka, MLAs Gowru Charitha Reddy, Ijaiah, former MLA Murali and others. Thousands of workers gathered to welcome him at Jagannadha Gattu. On arrival at the deeksha site, Jagan garlanded the bust of late leader YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
The deeksha is being organised to highlight the failure of the Andhra Pradesh Government to oppose the irrigation projects proposed by the Telangana Government on Krishna and Godavari rivers. The deeksha seeks to give voice to the apprehensions in the minds of the people of Andhra Pradesh in general and Rayalaseema in particular that the projects being built on Krishna and Godavari upstream by the TRS Government in Telangana will render the farm lands downstream barren. The people would suffer severe drinking water crisis besides irrigation crisis.
Jagan flays Telugu CMs for paving way for water wars
YSR Congress Party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has slammed both the chief ministers of Telugu States for paving the way for water wars.
Launching his three-day Jala deeksha at Kurnool on Monday, Jaganmohan Reddy said upper riparian State’s decision to take 954 tmc from the river Godavari would turn the lower riparian Rayaseema into a drought-stricken region.
Jagan said while Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was speaking like Hitler, Chandrababu Niadu was doing nothing. He said both Telangana and Andhra should jointly fight for their rights and review the water sharing on a fortnightly basis. “If this is not done, an India-Pakistan kind of situation would arise between the two Telugu States,” Jagan said. He reminded that both the regions used to fight unitedly against Maharashtra and Karnataka to protect their interests in the united State.
YS Jagan said indiscriminate construction of irrigation projects across Krishna and Godavari would badly hit the prospects of Rayalaseema. He said Telangana was diverting 120 tmc from Krishna river in Mahbubnagar. The Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme and Dindi schemes would divert 2 tmc a day, while the capacity of Kalwakurthi LIS has been hiked from 25 to 40 tmc. Thus, 30000 cusecs are being diverted to Telangana. In Srisailam, the intake point has been set up at 800 feet level to divert water to address the drinking water needs of Delta. This means, Rayalaseema would be left high and dry, he added. (NSS)