The Hindu : `Cong. politicising Raiwada'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

`Cong. politicising Raiwada'

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD Dec. 9. The Telugu Desam Party today accused the Congress and the Left parties with trying to politicise the Raiwada reservoir issue and shedding crocodile tears over the farmers's plight.

It asserted that the allocation of water from the reservoir for irrigation and drinking water supply of Vizag City in a ratio of 56:44 was in keeping with the High Court's order for equal distribution to the two sectors.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, TDP spokesman, N. Siva Prasad, said that in the normal course the reservoir was irrigating 15,000 acres in Devarapalli mandal and supplying water to the 13 lakh population of the steel city. But, the severe drought this year upset this pattern following which the Government issued a fresh schedule for water release.

However, the Sharada ayacutdars association went to the High Court challenging the schedule through a writ petition. Dr. Siva Prasad said that apart from the Court's ruling, the national water policy unequivocally stated that first priority should always be given to drinking water supply.

The TDP spokesman said similar arrangements had been made in Prakasam, Medak and East and West Godavari districts with good results. For instance, water was supplied to the entire 13 lakh acres in the Krishna delta by implementing warabandi, a system that enables conservation of water.

He recalled that in Nellore district, none of the Opposition leaders cared to attend a meeting of the irrigation advisory board to discuss a move to cut water supply to the 10-lakh acre ayacut under Somasila by 50 per cent. But, the same leaders raised a hue and cry when the supply was reduced.

Dr. Siva Prasad deplored the Congress and the Left parties for provoking farmers at a time when the State was passing through a severe drought.

Meanwhile, the TDP announced that Nettam Rattan Babu, former member of A. P. Public Service Commission, had joined the party in response to its call to `neutrals'.

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