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Karnataka govt on warpath against AP

The Karnataka government seems to be on the warpath against neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

Levelling serious allegations against the Andhra Pradesh government, Karnataka has threatened to approach the World Bank with a litany of complaints.

The alleged 'illegal activities' of the Andhra Pradesh government pertain to the implementation of permanent projects in the Krishna basin. The J H Patel government feels the World Bank should stop funds for these projects immediately.

Reacting to a reported statement of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on the utilisation of Krishna waters, Karnataka Major Irrigation Minister K N Nagegowda charged that the AP government had violated the guidelines on utilising surplus waters. It made efforts to build permanent projects such as the Telugu Ganga, the Srisailam Left and Right Bank Canals, the Pulichintala diversion scheme and the Bhima lift irrigation scheme.

The AP government's move to utilise 300 TMC ft of surplus water was nothing but a deliberate attempt to frustrate Karnataka's efforts, he said. The former had limited right to utilise the surplus water, he argued.

The minister alleged that the AP government had acted in a high-handed manner and urged the Centre to take steps to prevent that state from executing permanent projects in the Krishna basin. The Centre should also withdraw the guarantee given to the World Bank for funding the projects, he demanded.

UNI

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