Uttam Kumar Reddy assures full support to legal team in Krishna Water dispute, vows to personally attend KWDT-II hearings

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By HNH Web Desk 3
Krishna water dispute

HYDERABAD: In a major step to reinforce Telangana’s position in the ongoing Krishna water dispute, Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N Uttam Kumar Reddy convened a comprehensive review meeting with the State’s legal and irrigation teams on Sunday. The Minister assured full support to the legal team and declared that he would personally attend the proceedings of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) whenever matters concerning the Krishna and Godavari rivers arise.

The review meeting was held at Jala Soudha in Hyderabad and included senior advocates, irrigation officials, and legal consultants. Among those present was Adityanath Das, Advisor to the Telangana Government for the Irrigation Department. Senior counsel CS Vaidyanathan, who heads Telangana’s legal representation, briefed the Minister on arguments already presented during detailed Tribunal sessions held on April 5 and 6. The discussions focused on Telangana’s primary claims, current legal status, and preparations for the upcoming hearings scheduled for April 15, 16, and 17.

The Minister was apprised of Telangana’s stance on the allocation of Krishna waters, supported by relevant data submitted to the Tribunal. The legal team explained that Telangana had historically been denied a fair share of Krishna waters, and that the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 had further complicated the distribution. Telangana’s arguments centre on the need for an equitable allocation based on factors such as basin area, population, and irrigation potential, which lie at the heart of the Krishna water dispute.

Uttam Kumar Reddy took an active role in the deliberations, providing strategic and legal input. He discussed the broader legal framework and the administrative measures Telangana should adopt during the hearings. Emphasising Telangana’s legal, constitutional, and technical rights, he outlined a multi-pronged strategy to advance the State’s claims.

He asserted that the issue went beyond mere statistics, highlighting that Telangana’s case was rooted in justice and its right to build and expand irrigation infrastructure without facing arbitrary limitations. He said that farmers and irrigation-dependent regions in Telangana had endured the effects of inequitable water distribution for decades. The current Congress Government, he said, is determined to address and rectify these historical injustices tied to the Krishna water dispute.

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The Minister also reviewed logistical preparations and coordination with the legal team operating from Delhi. He stressed the importance of thorough documentation, timely presentations, and accurate data collation for the hearings before KWDT-II. Officials were directed to ensure seamless support to the legal team, including legal drafting and ground-level inputs.

During the meeting, the Minister sought updates on related legal cases and pending appeals in other forums and instructed the department to keep him informed on all developments. He reiterated his commitment to personally attend tribunal proceedings concerning the Krishna or Godavari rivers, stating that he would stand in defence of Telangana’s rightful claims.

Uttam Kumar Reddy affirmed that under the leadership of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the Telangana Government would spare no effort in protecting the State’s interests in inter-state water disputes. He expressed confidence in the legal and administrative teams and underscored the need for unity, diligence, and fact-based arguments to secure a fair outcome for Telangana in the Krishna water dispute.

 

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