Krishna River Water Dispute, Telangana- A.P. Water Dispute Remains Unsolved even after 9 years of Bifurcation

Krishna River Water Dispute: Krishna River Water Dispute is a very old dispute, beginning with the erstwhile Hyderabad and Mysore states, and later continuing between successors Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Telangana- A.P. Water Dispute is also important for UPSC Prelims Exam and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 2- Inter-state disputes, Inter-state river water disputes).

Krishna River Water Dispute Context

The long-standing dispute over the allocation of water from the Krishna river between Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) and Telangana remains unresolved, persisting even after nine years since the bifurcation of the erstwhile combined State.

Background of Telangana- A.P. Water Dispute

The roots of the dispute can be traced back to the establishment of Andhra Pradesh in November 1956.

• Prior to the formation of the state, leaders representing different regions of Andhra, including the Rayalaseema Region and the Telangana region, signed a Gentlemen’s Agreement on February 20, 1956.
• This agreement included provisions to protect the interests and requirements of Telangana concerning the utilization of water resources, emphasizing equitable distribution based on global treaties.
• However, the focus of the combined administration, in terms of irrigation facilities, was primarily on Andhra, which had existing systems developed by the British at the expense of water resources in drought-prone areas within Telangana.
• This disparity was a point of contention raised by leaders from the Telangana region from the very beginning.

Recent Developments in Telangana-Andhra Pradesh Water Dispute

Chief Justice of India offered to send a water dispute case filed by Andhra Pradesh against Telangana for mediation while saying that the people of the two southern States were “brothers” and should not even “dream” of doing harm to each other.

• The case concerned Andhra Pradesh’s petition accusing Telangana of depriving its people of their legitimate share of water for drinking and irrigation.
• A recent point of friction is led by the Telangana government’s notification that aims to generate hydel power up to 100% installed capacity which may result in a lack of water for the people of Andhra Pradesh (feared by the AP government).

About Krishna River Water Dispute

Krishna River Water Dispute is a very old dispute, beginning with the erstwhile Hyderabad and Mysore states, and later continuing between successors Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

• First Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT): set up in 1969 under the Inter-State River Water Dispute Act, 1956, and presented its report in 1973 which was published in 1976. It divided the 2060 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of Krishna water at 75 percent dependability into three parts:

1. 1. 560 TMC for Maharashtra.
   2. 700 TMC for Karnataka.
   3. 800 TMC for Andhra Pradesh.

• • It also provided for revision of the order by a competent authority or tribunal at any time after May 31, 2000. In addition to this, new grievances among the states led to the formation of a second KWDT in 2004.
• Second KWDT: Set up in 2004 and gave its report in 2010, which made allocations of the Krishna water at 65 percent dependability and for surplus flows as follows:

1. 1. 81 TMC for Maharashtra,
   2. 177 TMC for Karnataka, and
   3. 190 TMC for Andhra Pradesh.

Formation of Telangana state and present issue

Both states have proposed several new projects without getting clearance from the river boards, the Central Water Commission, and the Apex Council, as mandated by the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

• The Apex Council comprises the Union Water Resources Minister and the Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
• Andhra Pradesh: proposed to increase the utilization of the Krishna water from a section of the river above the Srisailam Reservoir, led to the Telangana government filing a complaint against Andhra Pradesh.
• Demands of AP for reallocation of water among four states instead of three: by considering Telangana as a separate party at the KWDT. It is relying on Section 89 of The Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act, 2014.
• Telangana: Palamuru-Rangareddy, Dindi Lift Irrigation Schemes on the Krishna River and Kaleshwaram, Tupakulagudem schemes, and a few barrages proposed across the Godavari are opposed by AP.
• Opposition by Karnataka and Maharashtra: they said that Telangana was created following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Therefore, the allocation of water should be from Andhra Pradesh’s share which was approved by the tribunal.

Stand of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Central Government

Since its formation, Telangana has consistently urged the Central government to settle the water allocation issue.

Telangana’s Stand

Citing international treaties and agreements on river water sharing, Telangana argues that it should receive a minimum of 70% of the 811 tmcft allocation based on basin parameters. Furthermore, Telangana highlights how Andhra Pradesh has been diverting approximately 300 tmcft of water from fluoride-affected and drought-prone areas within the Telangana basin to regions outside the basin.

Andhra Pradesh’s Stand

On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh also asserts its claim for a higher share of water to safeguard the interests of previously developed command areas. Andhra Pradesh accuses Telangana of

• Refusing to follow decisions taken on river water management in the Apex Council constituted under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014.
• Ignoring the directions of Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) constituted under the 2014 Act and the Central government.

Central government’s Stand

The Central government organized two meetings of the Apex Council, which included the Union Minister and Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, in 2016 and 2020.

• However, no significant effort was made to address the water allocation issue during these meetings.
• In 2020, the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) suggested that the matter be referred to a Tribunal, leading Telangana to withdraw its petition from the Supreme Court with the assurance from the Ministry.
• Unfortunately, the Central government has not taken any action on the issue for over two years.
• Consequently, the two states continue to engage in a daily exchange of arguments regarding the matter.

Constitutional provisions about Inter-state river water disputes

Important constitutional articles regarding Inter-state water dispute are discussed below-

• Article 262: provides for the adjudication of inter-state water disputes. It says that-
  • Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint with respect to the use, distribution, or control of the waters of, or in, any Inter-State River or river valley.
    • The Parliament has enacted two laws, the River Boards Act (1956) and the Inter-State Water Disputes Act (1956).
  • Parliament may, by law provide that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall exercise jurisdiction in respect of any such dispute or complaint as mentioned above.
• Entry 56 of Union List: The regulation and development of inter-state rivers and river valleys to the extent declared by Parliament to be expedient in the public interest.

Way forward

• Accepting the recommendations of the Mihir Shah panel: suggested to set up a National Water Commission by subsuming Central Water Commission and Central Ground Board.
• Enact Inter-State River Water disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019: It will help in faster adjudication of water disputes between the states.
  • It provides for the constitution of a single tribunal with different benches, and the setting up of strict timelines for adjudication.
  • The tribunal will be mandated to deliver the final award in two years and it is proposed that whenever it gives an order, the verdict gets notified automatically.
• Depoliticization of water issue: water should be treated as a national resource and must not be made an emotional issue linked with regional pride.

Sharing is caring!