Why in news?

The Centre (Union Ministry of Jal Shakti) has notified the jurisdiction of Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards (KRMB and GRMB).

What is the long-drawn dispute between A.P. and Telangana?

• The dispute between the two States over project works and hydel generation at Srisailam, Nagarjunsagar and Pulichintals reservoirs was going on for long.
• Andhra Pradesh has been demanding notification of the boards’ purview for long.
• But Telangana has been opposing it.
• It feels that handing over projects’ operation without clarity on the States’ share of water would be meaningless.
• Andhra Pradesh has been proposing a few projects, including a lift irrigation scheme for Rayalaseema.
• In turn, Telangana has been coming up with half-a-dozen projects of its own.
• It has been 7 years since the boards were constituted under the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
• The Centre has only notified now the jurisdiction of Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards (KRMB and GRMB).

What does this mean?

• The notification transfers to the Boards the operation of all projects in the two river basins in A.P. and Telangana effective from October 14, 2021.
• The operations include the generation of hydel power.
• The two river boards can now administer, regulate, operate and maintain 36 projects in the Krishna Basin and 71 in the Godavari.
• The Boards are empowered to operate the headworks of barrages, dams, reservoirs, regulating structures, part of canal network, transmission lines and the power houses at the projects.
• The notification authorises the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to assist the KRMB in the day-to-day management.
• This applies to the specified projects and other works related to security assigned by the KRMB.

What are the challenges?

• The Centre’s efforts are aimed at defusing the increasing tension between the two States over water sharing and power generation.
• But implementation is bound to face challenges as regulation of water is going to be a tough job.
• This is especially given the absence of clarity on water share of the two States as also the project-wise allocation.
• [Project-wise supply for irrigation and drinking needs as also hydel generation at projects]

What lies ahead?

• The arrangement is expected to leave the working of Water Resources or Irrigation Department in the States intact.

• The Centre must now see to it that the empowered Boards function in a fair manner.
• Notably, the Union government’s decision will be final with regard to matters concerning jurisdiction of the two bodies.
• Both States have their own justification to pursue new water and power projects as several areas await economic development.
• At the same time, the two States should instead focus on water and energy conservation.
• They should pay attention to improving the efficiency of irrigation schemes and hydel reservoirs.

Source: The Hindu