Tamil Nadu vs Andhra Pradesh: Battle over water turns bitter

Dispute: Unlike the Krishna and Godavari disputes, here Andhra Pradesh stands charged of attempting to cut water flow. Tamil Nadu wants Andhra Pradesh to stop its work on the check dam at Ganeshpuram in Kuppam, saying it will reduce water flow on the Palar.

What TN says: The construction of the Rs55 crore check dam by Andhra near Ganeshpuram across the Palar river will seriously affect drinking water flow to Vellore, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Thiruvallur and Chennai districts. Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi has sought the intervention of the central government to prevent AP from taking up any construction activity across Palar.

What AP says: Andhra Pradesh has strongly refuted allegations levelled by Tamil Nadu, saying no such work is currently going on at the site. Andhra Pradesh’s major irrigation minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah said that only certain designs related to the dam were prepared so far.
“We have shared the designs with the Tamil Nadu government. We are aware of the inter-state problems involved over the project, but we can say there will not be any loss to Tamil Nadu because of the project,” he said.

Current status: The Supreme Court in January 2008 directed the Centre to settle the dispute between the two states amicably. Two months later, the Central Water Commission Chairman convened a meeting of officials from both the states and asked Andhra Pradesh not to implement the project till the issue was settled. On June 24, 2009, at another meeting, the two states were asked to furnish hydrological details. According to TN CM Karunanidhi, Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh clarified therewas no proposal to clear the project.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_battles-over-water-turn-bitter_1275524

All is not quiet on the southern front. When will the Hindians swoop in and rescue everyone?

The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that there was no possibility of a negotiated solution to the Palar river dispute in view of the rigid stand taken by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh at the meeting convened by the Union Water Resources Secretary in May this year.

On March 30, passing interim orders, a Bench of Justice Mukundakam Sharma and Justice Anil Dave had asked the Centre to explore the possibility of resolving the dispute through negotiations. It was hearing a suit filed by Tamil Nadu to restrain Andhra Pradesh from constructing a check dam.

During the resumed hearing on Monday, Additional Solicitor General Harin P. Raval, appearing for the Centre, told the court that no settlement was reached at the meeting held on May 26.

Additional Advocate General Guru Krishna Kumar and Counsel G. Umpathy, appearing for Tamil Nadu, also said that no negotiated settlement was possible and that the court should decide the suit.

The Bench, while asking the parties to file list of witnesses and affidavit by way of evidence, directed the matter to be listed for final hearing in September.

It also asked the Centre to file an affidavit detailing its stand.

During the May 26 meeting, Principal Secretary, Andhra Pradesh, said that the new project on the Palar near Ganeshpuram would utilise only 0.6 tmcft for the benefit of drought-prone areas of Chittur.

It would cater to the drinking water needs of the three-lakh population and irrigate 4,000 acres by using 0.2 tmcft and 0.4 tmcft.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary opposed the project. The Water Resources Secretary asked the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary whether some sort of compromise was possible.

The Chief Secretary said that the State was of the view that Andhra Pradesh should not go ahead with the project as it would affect the drinking water situation downstream the Palar in Tamil Nadu, where the river catered to the requirement of a population of more than 24 lakhs through drinking water schemes.

It would be unfair to disturb the balance as there was no surplus water even for drinking purposes as claimed by Andhra Pradesh.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2159320.ece

https://such.forumotion.com/t9861p250-andhra-pradesh-hindi-played-a-key-role-in-the-freedom-struggle#75813

Rashmun wrote:In a way i was quoting someone and not stating anything myself.

Thanks for summarizing the vast majority of your posts on all topics.

panini press wrote:https://such.forumotion.com/t9861p250-andhra-pradesh-hindi-played-a-key-role-in-the-freedom-struggle#75813

Rashmun wrote:In a way i was quoting someone and not stating anything myself.

Thanks for summarizing the vast majority of your posts on all topics.

context, context.