Telangana government has been continuing to generate power from the hydel power projects on Krishna river despite instructions from the Centre.
This was disclosed by Union minister for Jal Sakthi Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in his reply to a question raised by YSR Congress party MP from Kadapa Y S Avinash Reddy during the question hour in Lok Sabha on Thursday.
The Union minister said the Centre as well as the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) had received complaints from the Andhra Pradesh government against the hydel power generation at Srisailam, Nagarjunasagar and Pulichintala dams on Krishna river, thereby affecting the irrigation interests of Andhra Pradesh.
“We have examined the complaints and wrote to the Telangana government to stop the hydel power generation forthwith. However, the Telangana has not heeded to our request and it continues to generate hydel power. We shall send reminders to Telangana again,” Shekhawat said.
Avinash Reddy also brought to the notice of the Centre that the Telangana government was constructing illegal lift irrigation schemes on Krishna river.
He requested that the Centre should immediately stop Palamuru-Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation scheme.
“The unauthorised hydel power generation and illegal construction of projects on Krishna river by Telangana would not only deprive Rayalaseema region of its irrigation facilities, but also prevent supply of drinking water to Chennai,” Avinash Reddy said.
The Union minister said the Centre had issued a gazette notification taking control of all the irrigation projects and their canals on Godavari and Krishna rivers so as to do justice to both the states.
