Krishna water dispute: Tribunal resumes hearing; scientist quizzed

TS argued that several short-gestation paddy varieties were developed and AP, as such, did not require much water in Krishna river for crops in its delta.

HYDERABAD:The Brijesh Kumar Tribunal resumed hearing on Krishna river water sharing at its meeting in Delhi on Thursday. Andhra Pradesh counsel AK Ganguli examined and Telangana advocate V Ravinder Rao cross-examined PV Satyanarayana, principal scientist at the Marteru Paddy Research Station in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The examination and cross-examination took place before tribunal chairman Brijesh Kumar and members BP Das and Ram Mohan Reddy. It pertained mainly to the duration of paddy crops and varieties.

TS argued that several short-gestation paddy varieties were developed and AP, as such, did not require much water in Krishna river for crops in its delta. AP countered by saying that short-duration paddy varieties were also being grown in Telangana too. The cross-examination will continue on Friday.
Here are excerpts of the questions asked by the Telangana advocate and the answers given by the scientist:
TS advocate: Have you developed short-duration varieties suitable for coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh? If yes, please give the details.

Satyanarayana: Yes. I have developed short-duration varieties such as MTU-1010, MTU-1156, MTU-1153 and MTU-1121 mainly aiming for larger cultivation during the Rabi season (second crop).TS advocate: Have you not developed any short-duration paddy variety for coastal area for Kharif season?
Satyanarayana: The varieties developed in short duration and the mandate of our research station is mainly for second crop season (Rabi).Tribunal:  What is the time stipulated for short duration, medium duration and long duration for paddy crops?

Satyanarayana: In general, paddy is classified into three duration groups. The short-duration variety paddy  matures  between 115 and 120 days whereas the medium-duration variety matures between 130 and 140 days. The long-duration variety takes 150 days and more to mature. These are broad classifications. In recent time, there is a mention about extra early duration, wherein the paddy matures in less than 105 days. This is from seed to seed.