CM denies diversion of Krishna water at cost of city

Hyderabad, July 18 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today denied diversion of ''assured'' Krishna waters to his native Rayalaseema region, even as major opposition parties registered their protests over alleged delay in taking up of the third phase of the Krishna water drinking project for this city.

Intervening during question hour, Dr Reddy made it clear that the irrigation projects in the Rayalaseema region were based only on the ''surplus'' waters of river Krishna. The Government would soon decide whether to bring Godavari or Krishna waters to find a permanent solution to meet the drinking water needs of Hyderabad city, he said.

TDP Legislature Party leader T Devender Goud, TRS Floor Leader K Vijayarama Rao, All India Majlis-E-Ittihadul Muslimeen Floor Leader Akbaruddin Owaisi protested against the Government for allegedly putting on hold the third phase of the drinking water project in order to ensure Krishna waters for Rayalseema at a time when the Union Government was ready to release funds for the Krishna water-III phase project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

BJP Floor leader G Kishan Reddy staged a walkout, demanding immediate taking up of the Krishna-III phase drinking water project.

Asserting that the Rajasekhara Reddy Government was committed to provide drinking water round the clock, Municipal Administration Minister K Ranga Rao informed the House that the Government would take a decision soon on the issue based on the report of an experts committee.

Replying to Mr Devender Goud and other TDP MLAs, Mr Rao said the Government had not taken any decision to take up Manjira phase-IV project additionally from Singur for supply of drinking water to the city.

Former Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader P Janardhana Reddy, representing Khairatabad in the city, tried in vain to make his point on the issue as the Speaker refused to give him permission to raise the matter.

UNI