We seek fair entitlement, not special privilege: Telangana Deputy CM on Krishna waters

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka emphasized on Thursday during the 31st Southern Zonal Council in Mahabalipuram that the state seeks a fair entitlement to Krishna waters, rather than any special privileges. He stated that the state is committed to respecting established adjudicatory mechanisms and applying the same principles to all riparian states.

Telangana reaffirmed its lower-riparian rights over surplus waters and stressed the need for a fair, time-bound, and legally sustainable resolution of inter-state issues. The deputy CM highlighted that while states naturally compete for investment, industry, jobs, and talent, cooperation remains crucial for the growth of southern India as a whole.

He pointed out that with the allocation of Krishna waters between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh under consideration before the second Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT-II), the matter should be addressed through the established legal and adjudicatory process. Vikramarka also called for Central financial support for the Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme.

He noted that despite 12 years since the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, several issues between the two successor states remain unresolved, including claims of asset division by Andhra Pradesh. Telangana maintains that such claims are not supported by the act, except for the continuation of facilities under Section 75. The deputy CM emphasized the importance of cooperation among southern states on critical challenges such as water security, energy, climate resilience, urbanisation, logistics, and economic competitiveness, stating that if southern India grows together, India will grow faster.