HYDERABAD: At a time when the two Telugu states of Telangana and AP are locked in water wars, Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday came up with another issue that might create fresh trouble between them.
“What is the share of Telangana in the fish available in Krishna and Godavari rivers?” is what Rao wanted to decide with his neighbouring state. He raised the issue on the floor the state Assembly here on Tuesday.
Replying to the short discussion on fisheries department, Rao said the three-member committee constituted by the state government to resolve disputes with AP would also decide the share of TS’ fish in Krishna and Godavari rivers.
Recalling that there were clashes between fishermen of Kurnool and Mahbubnagar districts before creation of Telangana, Rao said he himself visited Mahbubnagar and warned AP fishermen of serious consequences, if they attack the local fishermen.
Detailing his government’s initiatives to develop the fisheries sector, Rao said the fish production in the state would be increased by 10 times from the present Rs 450 crore. “We will provide employment to fishermen communities and also to farmers who lost lands under irrigation projects,” he said.
Rao said the proposed barrages on Godavari like Medigadda, Annaram, Sundilla and Yellampalli would have vast extent of water bodies and they would be useful for fish culture, he said. “That is why we have proposed Mallanna Sagar reservoir. It will help fishermen earn good revenues,” Rao said.
Two fisheries’ colleges would come up in the state, he added.