A water war has broken out again between Kurnool and Mahbubnagar districts. Mahbubnagar politicians and farmers protested against the denial of their share of drinking water from the Tungabhadra dam and accused Kurnool leaders of siphoning off the water.
Kurnool received 1.29 tmc ft of water for drinking from Tungabhadra dam following a request and this led to a demand from Mahbubnagar leaders for a 40 per cent share.
The denial of water to Mahbubnagar, especially five mandals in the Alampur Assembly constituency under the Rajoli Banda Diversion (RDS) Scheme sparked protests in Mahbubnagar and in the Assembly.
The newly elected TRS MLAs, Mr Jupally Krishna Rao, and others besides Independent MLA, Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy staged a dharna in front of irrigation minister Sudarshan Reddy’s chamber in the Assembly demanding the opening of the shutters of the RDS scheme and the release of water to Mahbubnagar. They demanded the immediate release of arrested leaders Mr Seetharam Reddy and others, who had protested for water.
Mr Sudarshan spoke to irrigation officials. “Mahbubnagar has already got its share of 4.54 tmc ft water for irrigation. Kurnool officials requested the Tungabhadra dam authorities to release their share of water. It is obvious that Mahbubnagar should get 40 per cent,” Sudarshan Reddy told this newspaper.
The water issue also led to sharp exchanges between TRS MLA Jupally Krishna Rao and Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy on one side and the minister for information and public relations, Ms D.K. Aruna on the other.
“How can the government be so insensitive to the drinking water needs of Mahbubnagar? What is the district minister and the Congress MLAs doing? If the shutters of RDS are not lifted and water allowed to flow, we will forcibly lift the shutters,” Mr Krishna Rao warned.
He said that the formation of Telangana was the only solution to end the present water crisis for Mahbubnagar district.
Mr D.K. Aruna hit back accusing both the leaders of trying to whip up passions among the people.
“These leaders never raised the issue in the past. We were the one who fought for our rightful share and got it. Mahbubnagar will get its water share," she said.
Minor Irrigation Minister T.G. Venkatesh said that Kurnool has got its rightful share of water and there was no stealing of water earmarked for Mahabubnagar as alleged by TRS leaders.