Set back to Telugu States on sharing of Krishna Waters

In a major setback to Telugu States, the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal on sharing of Krishna waters has made it clear that it would not take a relook into allocation of water among the riparian states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. On its 2010 report, Brijesh Kumar Tribunal allocated 666 TMC ft to Maharashtra, 911 TMC ft to Karnataka and 1,001 TMC ft to AP.

After bifurcation, both the Telugu states went to the Krishna Tribunal asking for relook on sharing of Krishna Waters under the Section 89 of AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. However,it has made it clear that it would continue the same distribution of water allocation to combined AP to Telangana and residuary AP State. In its verdict, the tribunal said Section 89 was not applicable to all four States but meant only for TS and AP. The Tribunal has asked TS and AP to come before it on December 14 with claims on sharing of water between the two states, out of the allocation made for combined AP by the tribunal already.

The sources said that both Telugu States are going to recap their stand before the Tribunal on December-14 along with putting forward their claims on sharing of water, allocation of which has already been put on hold following a stay issued by the Supreme Court on publication of the award in the gazette. On the other hand, Maharashtra and Karnataka States strongly opposed redistribution of water based on Section 89 of the bifurcation act.