No Need To Respond To KCR’s Comments – Jagan

As the water war between AP and Telangana escalated and both the states are at loggerheads over new lift irrigation projects and sharing of river water, the war of words have been intensified. While Telangana CM KCR is making open statements against AP and CM Jagan and giving directions to his irrigation department, AP CM Jagan is ignoring KCR’s rants and going ahead with Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS).

A day after CM Jagan’s letter to Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekawat, Telangana leaders have expressed their strong dissent fuming over Jagan’s letter questioning the Centre’s “soft stand” on Telangana’s irrigation projects. When the issue of KCR’s comments was brought up with Jagan, AP CM reportedly responded asking to “ignore” KCR’s comments. Jagan is said to have told officials that there is “no need” for him to respond to KCR’s statements. He has told them that ‘whatever AP wants to say would only say at the Apex Council meet’. The Apex Council meet is scheduled for Aug 20 under the leadership of Union Jal Shakti Minister.

“We wanted a friendly relation with Telangana. But not at the cost of AP’s interests. When AP’s interests are getting affected, we can’t be silent. For me, state’s interests are far more important,” CM Jagan is said to have reportedly commented in a meeting with the higher officials of the Water Resources Department held the other day.

Meanwhile, CM Jagan is said to have asked the officials to get ready with all the documents and orders on the irrigation projects prior to the state’s bifurcation to till date. It’s learnt that Jagan is going to present AP’s case firmly at the Apex Council Meet on Aug 20.

CM Jagan has also asked the officials to focus on the pending funds from the Centre to the Polavaram National Irrigation Project. He told the officials to prepare the bills incurred for the Polavaram project and get the reimbursements from the Centre. He also directed officials to speeden up the process of rehabilitation and resettlement works.