Sunday, September 12, 2010

Telangana students demand quota

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Irrigation

Irrigation

Andhra Pradesh is situated in the central stretch of the eastern seaboard of the Indian Peninsula. Telangana is situated at a high altitude in an up-land area. The river Godavari is flowing on the North and the river Krishna is flowing on the South in Telangana region. Apart from the major rivers, there are other small rivers such as Bhima, Dindi, Kinnerasani, Manjeera, Manair, Penganga, Praanahita, and Peddavagu and Taliperu.

In erstwhile Hyderabad State, medium projects, like Pocharam, Dindi, Palair, Vyra, Manair, Khanapur were constructed apart from Nizamsagar Project, which was completed in 1924-31. It was envisioned to utilize 58 TMC water to irrigate 2,75,000 acres of land in Nizamabad District.

The total permitted utilization of water under Godavari and Krishna for Telangana region in erstwhile Hyderabad State was under 951 MOU. The following given table shows the River Basin with projects existing, under execution and contemplated.

GODAVARI BASIN :

EXISTING Total TMC

1. Nizamsagar Project 58.00TMC

2. Medium Projects 60.00TMC

3. Minor Projects 35.00 TMC

153.00 TMC

UNDER EXECUTION Total TMC

1. Godavari Basin 364.00 TMC

2. Kadam 53.00 TMC

3. Lower Manair 12.00 TMC

4. Devanoor 27.0 TMC

465TMC
CONTEMPLATED

1. Ichampally Project 32.00 TMC

TOTAL 609.00 TMC

KRISHNA BASIN :

EXISTING Total TMC

1. Rajoli Banda 15-90TMC

2. Medium Projects 36-10 TMC

3. Miner Projects 90.80 TMC

142.00 TMC

UNDER EXECUTION

1. Nagarjunsagar left canal 161.00 TMC

2. Tungabhadra left canal 19.00 TMC

180.00 TMC

CONTEMPLATED

1. Upper Krishna Project 54.40 TMC

2. Bhima 100.60 TMC

155.00 TMC

Total 322.00 TMC

(TOTAL TMC OF WATER FOR GODAVARI AND KRISHNA BASIN is 931.00 TMC)

After the formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh, the proposed projects under Godavari, Krishna basin were not implemented. Also the water resources were diverted to the Andhra region.

Server projects envisaged under Godavari delta basin were ignored and Devnoor project was completely removed. The Pochampad project was sanctioned under pressure from Telangana leadership, but the entire water utilization under Godavari was now reduced from 400 TMC to 112 TMC. The reservoir capacity was finally sanctioned for storing 82 TMC of water. With this capacity, the Godavari valley projects irrigation is now reduced to 10.25 lakh acres from 40 lakh acres. Many projects sanctioned could not be implemented properly even after four decades of formation of Andhra Pradesh.

Usually the allocation of water is based on the available water in catchment area and the land available for irrigation. Under the Nagarjuna Sagar Project's left canal, 161 TMC of water should have been allocated, but only 82 TMC of water is available for irrigation.

The water allocation to the Andhra Pradesh state was 1480 TMC under Godavari basin and 856 TMC under Krishna basin. By looking at the ground facts, it is obvious that how much disparity has been shown on Telangana region. The given below are the facts of water allocation for Andhra and Telangana regions from Godavari and Krishna rivers.

The river Godavari flows for about 79% of its catchment area in Telangana. Geographically about 70% of Telangana land is suitable for irrigation. On this basis Telangana region should get 70% (1036 TMC) allocation out of 1480 TMC and the rest of 30% (144 TMC) only should have been allocated to Andhra region. But the ground realities are quite different and shocking. The water utilization under Godavari basin is about 760 TMC so far, out of which 320 TMC of water is being diverted to Andhra region as against 124 TMC. This resulted in diverting 281 TMC of water from Telangana region to Andhra region.

River Krishna is no different from river Godavari. River Krishna flows for about 68.5% in the catchment area in Telangana and 31.5% catchment in Andhra region. Only 37% of water (266.8 TMC) is allocated to Telangana region against 68.5%. Where as 500.1 TMC water is allocated to Andhra region. Only 27% of water is available for cultivable lands in Telangana. It means 50% of the Ayacut under Krishna basin in Telagana is not getting water.

The following table which shows how the total irrigated area in Telangana region decreased compared to Andhra region from the year 1956 –97.


*Source:Director of Economics and Statistics, A.P.

The total irrigated area in Andhra region increased from 24.45 lakhs hectares to 26.00 lakhs hectares where as the total irrigated area in Telangana region decreased from 9.12 lakh hectares to 7.18 lakh hectares, about 22% decrease. This shows a dangerous trend of decreasing cultivable lands in Telangana.

The bar chart given below clearly shows the disparity between Coastal Andhra and Telangana region in utilising canal water for irrigation.



Region wise Total Irrigated Area

Region


Canal


Wells

Coastal Andhra


12,24,559


1,31,002

Rayalseema


1,24,567


1,68,077

Telangana


3,00,621


5,88,884

Distribution of surplus water under Krishna Basin

The Krishna water tribunal awarded 800 TMC of water for Andhra Pradesh. It also permitted to utilize the surplus water as a tail end state. It was agreed after prolonged discussions on utilization of surface water between Andhra and Telangana Regions, that the surplus water should be utilized in the ratio of 50-50 of the available water resources. The allocation was made as follows.

A) ANDHRA REGION

1) Telugu Ganga Project 29 TMC

2) Sreesailam Right Bank Canal 19 TMC

B) TELANGANA REGION

1)Sreesailam Left Bank Canal 30 TMC

2)Bheema Lift Irrigation 20 TMC

Though allocation was made as above, so far the benefits are being accrued under Telugu Ganga Project and SreeSailam Right Bank canal. These schemes are being implemented with World Bank Loan by merging Sreeramsagar Project (in Telangana) by showing it as AP II, AP-III. The SreeSailam bank canal is yet to be completed, and Bheema left irrigation project is kept under cold storage.

The future development of ayacut in Telangana is mainly dependent on the development and execution of Godavari river basin. Although The Andhra Pradesh Government has constituted Godavari utilization authority years back, so far there is no progress. The Inchampally and Polavaram Projects were planned on Godavari long back, but since last forty years interstate dispute was not resolved and these projects are kept pending.

Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra and Madhya Pradesh reached an agreement in1978 regarding Inchampally. As per this agreement, Andhra Pradesh can utilize only 85 TMC of water and the balance of water can be utilized only to generate Hydroelectric Power. The expenditure has to be borne by Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra & Madhya Pradesh at the ratio of 78%, 10.5% and 11.4% respectively. Andhra Pradesh will get 27% of the generated power. Experts believe that the Inchampally project would benefit Andhra region more than Telangana region. Out of 360 TMC of water, only 85 TMC will be utilized for irrigation in Telangana. The rest of the water after utilization for generation of power will flow down wards to Dhawaleswaram Barrage or to Polavaram project.

1) Pedda Bellalla (below the confluence of kadem)

2) VenKatapuram down stream of ichampaiiy

3) Yellampally (further down to Manchiryal)

4) Dummugudem (near Luxettipet)

With these minor and medium projects and with lift irrigation, at least 200 TMC of water can be utilized for 10 lakh acres in kharif and another 5 lakh acres in rabi seasons.

Click on the below links to have the detailed notes on the Irrigation projects on Krishna and Godavari basins respectively.

Krishna Basin Projects

Projects on Krishna basin


Krishna Basin

The catchment area in Telangana is 51,628 square kms and catchment in Andhra is 23,741 square kms. But the water allocation for Telangana is 266.83 TMC feet of water, whereas the Andhra gets 500.15 TMC feet of water as show in percentages.

The bar chart below shows clearly the catchment area, cultivable land and irrigated area on Krishna Basin.


Region catchment cultivable land irrigated Area
Andhra

31.5%


62.5%


76.72%

Telangana


68.5%


37.5%


24%

PROJECTS:

Tungabadra:This project was first planned in 1948 near Hosepet as a joint venture of erstwhile Hyderabad State and Mysore State. Left canal of this project was planned to utilize about 100 TMC ft of water to irrigate lands in Raichur and Mahaboobnagar.

Rajolibunda Diversion Scheme: This project was started to irrigate 93,000 acres in then Raichoor district of the then Hyderabad State utilizing 17 TMC feet of water. It was started by the Hyderabad State and completed by 1956. Subsequent to the reorganization of states, 5900 acres ayacut fell within Karnataka State and remaining ayacut of 87000 acres fell within Andhra Pradesh State. The Chief Engineers of Karnataka and Andra Pradesh agreed for full supply discharge of 850 cusecs at head and 770 cusecs at the border point between Karnataka State and Andhra Pradesh State in 1959.

Krishna water dispute tribunal allotted 1.20 TMC feet of water out of 17 TMC feet of water to Karnataka State ayacut and the remaining 15.90 TMC feet of water to the ayacut in Andhra Pradesh State in 1980. It also gave directions that out of the 17.10 TMC feet of water allotted, 7 TMC feet of water would be in the shape of regulated discharge from Thungabhadra project in the lean months from January to May. Karnataka does not release even half the required flow to ryots of Gadwal and Alampoor taluqs of Andhra Pradesh State, despite a specific direction from the tribunal. The Andhra Pradesh did not show any interest to take up the issue with Karnataka.

The entire Mahaboobnagar district is drought affected, except for Mahaboobnagar taluq. The entire district lies in Krishna basin and it is at the head of the basin in the state. The present irrigation is confined to minor irrigation projects, a few medium projects and one existing major project namely Rajolibunda Diversion Scheme across the Tungabhadra river.

The Bachawath tribunal had allotted 17.1 TMC feet of water to Rajolibunda Diversion Scheme: 1.20 TMC feet of water to Karnataka and 15.9 TMC feet of water to Mahaboobnagar district. But in reality only 5 to 6 TMC of water is available for Mahaboobnagar district, though the availability of water from Tungabhadra is almost 15.90 TMC. Telangana region is deprived due to clandestine and unauthorized and illegal diversion of 6 to 7 TMC of water, with the tacit knowledge of the official.

Bheema Project: The Bheema project envisages the use of 20 TMC feet of Krishna waters for irrigating 2 lakh acres in the drought affected and upland areas of Makthal, Atmakur, Wanaparthy and Kollapur taluqs of Mahaboobnagar district.

Alternatively the water can be lifted form the Bheema River or Krishna River just below its confluence with the Bheema River and stored in the proposed balancing reservoir at Makthal to irrigate the areas.

Andhra Pradesh State committed in its note APPK 36 to take up a project across Krishna river five miles upstream of Gadwal meter gauge railway bridge with a gross storage of 33 TMC feet water and storage of 16 TMC feet water under stage I. The irrigation would be flow irrigation of about 1.05 lakhs acres, and stage II could be a lift scheme to irrigate about 1.80 lakhs acres. The tribunal allotted 17.64 TMC feet of water to the project and work is taken up under stage I named Jurala Project in 1981. The water is yet to be made available to extensive areas of ayacut proposed.

Nagarjunsagar Project: Nagarjuna Sagar project was taken up as a joint project between the then Andhra State and the then Hyderabad State in 1954. On the basis of the agreement the project was to be jointly executed with left canal to serve 7.95 lakh acres in Nalgonda and Khammam districts with 161 TMC feet of water as its share. Around 2 lakhs acres of lands in Andhra State limits were also to be served from the left canal. This joint project report was protected under section 108 (2a) of S.R. Act.

With the reorganization of states and the merging of Telangana with Andhra, the Andhra State became sole authority to execute the project. The bed levels of left main canal were indiscriminately dropped. It was made to pass through existing minor and medium tanks by dropping the bed level of canal and picked up at a lower level. With the result the identified ayacut in Nalgonda and Khammam districts was reduced from 7.95 lakhs acres to 5.30 lakh acres including existing ayacut of around 50,000 acres under Paleru Project and other minor irrigation sources. On the other hand the ayacut in Andhra region under left canal was increased from the originally contemplated ayacut of 2.05 lakh acres to 3.78 lakh acres.

As a result of this manipulation in the ayacut of left canal, the ayacut in Telangana utilizes only 86 TMC feet of water including around 6 TMC feet of water for independent yield of Paleru project, Devulapally and other minor tanks. The Nagarjuna sagar supplies only 80 TMC feet of water to Telangana ayacut under left canal, against its entitlement of 161 TMC feet of water, under 1954 agreement.

This is a violation of 1954 agreement and violation of the rights of Telangana Protected under section 108(2) (a) of SR act. The left canal alignment is manipulated so badly that it is not possible to make available the balance water from left canal.

After power generation, water from Srisailam reservoir flows to Nagarjuna Sagar project. The balance water from left canal quota of Nagarjuna Sagar is 127 TMC feet of water. The 127 TMC feet of water has to be supplied from Srisailam reservoir through a tunnel to irrigate areas in Nalgonda and Khammam districts.

The project under the left bank canal utilizing 30 TMC feet of water under Bheema lift irrigation is still not implemented. In addition to the existing deprivations, the Government of Andhra Pradesh is seriously contemplating to bring Krishna waters to Hyderabad city, which will further deplete the water available for irrigation in Telangana region.

Srisailam Left Bank Canal: Left canal runs for a length of 178 kilometers to irrigate 419,820 acres in Nalgonda, Khammam, Krishna and west Godavari.

Srisailam Left Bank Canal is the third project of Telangana on Krishna that became a victim of Andhra Pradesh government maneuvering.

Krishna water dispute tribunal allocated 800 TMC feet of water to Andhra Pradesh State. The three state governments, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharastra, put forward further demands against possible surplus flows over and above agreed. The Tribunal allowed Andhra Pradesh to buildup surplus capacities to store water and utilize it with out any specific right over the other states of Karnataka and Maharastra. The government of Andhra Pradesh submitted plans to utilize the surplus water of Krishna as under.

I.Krishna delta 65.00 TMC

2. Nagarjuna sagar 42.00 TMC

3. Jurala Irrigation Scheme Stage II 28.00 TMC

4. Sangameswar canals 40.90 TMC

5. Srisailam Left Bank canal 150.00 TMC

6. Nagarjuna Sagar Project Stage II 203.00 TMC

Total .. 529.10 TMC

An expert committee of Senior Engineers was constituted by Andhra Pradesh State in 1981 to suggest ways and means for maximum utilization of water allocated by Krishna water Disputes Tribunal.

Crest gates were installed in both Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam and water is being utilized. By installing crest gates to R.L. +590 and with M.D.D.L. at +510 at Nagarjuna Sagar an additional carry over capacity of 120 TMC feet of water is created. Similarly at Srisailam with crest gates at R.L. 885 and MDDL at +830 an additional carry over capacity of 60 TMC feet of water is created. The Experts committee was of the opinion, that the average carry over capacity at Srisailam is 81.6 TMC feet of water and at Nagarjuna Sagar is 167.78 TMC feet of water. With power generation permitted up to +800, another 100 TMC feet of water would be available totaling to about 81.63+67.78+100=349.11 TMC feet of water.

Based on the above estimation of water availability the Government took up Telugu Ganga and Srisailam right branch canal to irrigate extensive areas in Cuddapah, Kurnool, Prakasam, Nellore and Chittoor districts utilizing around 350 TMC feet of water, incurring around Rs. 3200 crores in the last the 18 years.

Srisailam left bank canal was to be supplied water through a tunnel from Srisailam reservoir, as suggested by experts committee and agreed to by A.P. government. A committee was setup to study environmental impact to damn the tunnel. The committee came out with a recommendation that environmental impact could be avoided with a slight shift in alignment and it would avoid forest area as well. The report also suggested that the tunnel is the best option.

The planning commission cleared the Srisailam right branch canal, part of Sangameswara canals to utilize 19 TMC of surplus flows in May 1981. The State government also cleared other projects.

1. Srisailam left branch canal (Telugu Ganga ) with extension up to Sagileru river to irrigate 1.11 lakh hectares requiring 29 TMC feet of water.

2. Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) in Nalgonda district to irrigate around 1.20 lakh hectares utilizing 30 TMC feet of water.

The cost aspect as indicated in plan papers in 1984, is more favorable to Srisailam left bank canal. The tunnel’s estimated cost was Rs. 353 Crores utilizing 30 TMC feet of water. It was much cheaper than Srisailam left branch canal (Telugu Ganga) costing Rs. 637 crores for utilizing 29 TMCft and Srisailam right branch canal costing Rs. 221 crores utilizing only 19 TMC feet of water.

The Andhra Pradesh government appears to have a hidden agenda and it is understood that it has a preconceived notion to block tunnel option, in spite of its overwhelming positive features. Otherwise how else would it discourage tunnel option on left bank of Srisailam, while it aggressively pursuing it on right side of Srisailam to feed ayacut of Valigodu reservoirs.

Finally the government decided to dump tunnel option in 1995 and instead supply water to the ayacut on Srisailam Left Bank by pumping from Nagarjuna Sagar. The government proposed to install 4 pumps of 19 MW each to irrigate 60,000 hectares in first crop and another 49,000 hectares in second crop. The actual irrigation as per the affidavit submitted, with the pumps running 24 hours does not exceed 97,000 hectares. But actually its capacity would not be more than 67,758 hectares, utilizing around 28.74 TMC feet of water against allotment 50TMC feet of water. The ayacut restricted to 67,758 hectares against earlier recommendation of 1,21,000 hectares.

Two issues:

1. Is it possible to supply 76MW of firm power during October, November and December? The statements emanating from both the corporation and government indicate that the supply of power for more than (9) hours a day is not possible. In that event the ayacut gets further reduced to around 25,000 hectares. The intended flushing out of fluoride from the areas and water supply to villages along the canal including Nalgonda town would remain a dream unfulfilled.

2. The running cost of the scheme works out to around Rs. 3230- per hectare at Rs.1 per unit of electricity. If the tariff is linked to cost of production of electricity the cost per hectare may be around Rs.8000. Will the farmers be able to pay such huge costs of power supply?. Why should they pay for such faulty and mischievous formulation of the scheme? The water intended for Nalgonda would flow down stream for development of some more ayacut in the Andhra region and Nalgonda district would remain drought prone perpetually.

The dishonesty of the government is further evident from the fact that Telugu Ganga and Srisailam right branch canal simultaneously started with Srisailam Left Bank Canal, are under execution, while Srisailam Left Bank Canal remains a dream. The expenditure on Telugu Ganga and Srisailam right branch canal is Rs. 1500 crores whereas Srisailam left bank canal estimated to cost around Rs. 150 crores.

Dishonesty is evident from the fact, that the pumping scheme is opted by the state, in spite of unequivocal recommendation by the experts committee and later by the environmental impact Assessment committee favoring tunnel. Obviously, the government knows fully well that the pumping scheme is not viable and opted for it, so as to dump it later and divert water so saved from this scheme to lower reaches to benefit Andhra region.

As a result of discrimination since merger of Telangana with the erstwhile Andhra State in 1956 is back to 7.21 lakh hectares in 1996 -97, compared to 9 lakhs hectares under irrigation in 1956. The irrigation content as percentage of shown area also, slumped from 18.90% in 1956 to 17.60% in 1996 - 97. This was not the sort of balanced development of all the regions of the state contemplated in article 371 (D) - 1 of the constitution. It shows how government ignored the needs of a particular region. It is in violation of all accepted norms of governance, conventions, and agreements between different regions of a state under the constitutional provisions.

While considering the Rajolibunda Diversion Scheme Right Bank Canal for the utilization of flood flows, it may be necessary first to ensure adequate designed discharge into the Left Bank Canal by raising the crest level of the ayacut to irrigate the full contemplated ayacut of 87,000 acres.

Nandikonda - Nagarjunasagar Project

Contemplated Andhra region Telangana region

Originally to irrigate 2.33 lakh acres 7.9 lakh acres

(under right canal) (through left canal)

Reduced to 6.1 lakh acres

Now under Irrigation 13.00 lakh acres Under irrigation 1.1 lakh acres.



Bureaucratic institutions created hurdles to delay the approvals at various levels at different stages. While negotiating irrigation projects in backward areas / region, the state delayed the sanction of allocated budget till last minute so that the funds could be diverted to favored regions. Also the trend in favor of coastal Andhra is evident in spending extra budgetary funds, early completion of projects, modernization of projects, regular and repeated drainage and flood control works, constructing balancing reservoirs, doubly ensured that irrigation projects are completed early in Andhra area.

Gadwal Branch Canal: Thungabhadra low level canal was to irrigate 80,000 hectares in Gadwal and AlampurTaluqs of Raichur district in Hyderabad state. Due to reorganization of states in 1956, the two taluqs Gadwal and Alampoor became part of Mahaboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Engineer of Thungabhadra wrote to the Chief Engineer Andhra in September 1956, stating that for the cropping pattern for the scheme approved by the Hyderabad State for 580,000 acres including 10,000acres of second crop paddy. The total quantity of utilizable water was estimated to be about 80 TMC feet of water out of 100 TMC of water allotted to Hyderabad in 1951. He added that it had been further decided that the balance quantity of water should be utilized in the lower reaches lying in the Telangana region.

The Karnataka State misguided the Krishna water disputes tribunal stating that there was no administrative sanction from Gadwal branch canal beyond Mile 141 and the Andhra Pradesh State accepted the result. The tribunal ruled that the claim for water to Gadwal beyond 141 miles is not sustainable. The tribunal or the state of Andhra Pradesh did not ask Karnataka State whether there was administrative sanction separately for the branch canal from Mile 127 of main canal to KM 141.00 of Gadwal branch canal.

Mahaboobnagar district also lost substantially in two other projects, around 25 TMC ft in upper Krishna, 50 TMC ft in Bheema project plans, which were in advanced stage of formulation, before reorganization of states took its toll. The result was that Mahaboobnagar district remained drought prone and poorest district in Andhra Pradesh state, with percentage of irrigation recording as low as 4.61% of its shown area in 1996 -97, in spite of the fact that three big rivers Krishna Thungabadra and Bheema flowing through it.

Concerned with the plight of the Mahaboobnagar district, the Krishna water dispute tribunal allotted 17.84 TMC feet of water for Jurala project stage I to irrigate around 42,000 hectares bordering Krishna river in Mahaboobnagar district.

Jurala Project Stage–1: This project envisages irrigating scarcity areas in Taluqs of Gadwal, Alampur and Wanaparthy in Mahboobnagar district. The erstwhile Hyderabad State had taken up investigations of 1930 for irrigating certain areas in Telangana region of the present Mahboobnagar District along with areas in Karnataka region, which merged with the Karnataka state after the states reorganization.

In the 1st Stage there will be two canals :

(1) The Right Bank canal will be about 17 miles along serving the areas of Gadwal and Alampur Taluqs in Mahaboobnagar district.

(2) The left Bank Canal which will be about 36 miles serving Taluqs of Atmakur and Wanaparthy of Mahaboobnagar District. The total water requirement in Stage-l for the Right and Left Bank Canals is 16.80 TMC feet of water.

In second stage a pumping scheme to irrigate around 80,000 hectares is not implemented in spite of its commitment before the Krishna water dispute tribunal 30 years back in 1970. The government is not in a position to supply power to agricultural connections even 9 hours a day. Therefore there is no justification for pumping scheme specially in view of the fact, that an attractive alternative diversion scheme from adjacent Bheema river, where required flows are available. It would be much cheaper in construction and operation than the pumping scheme.

Kalwakurthi Lift Irrigation Scheme: This scheme was planned to lift the water at Khollapur on upper Sreesailam project in 8 stages in Nagar Kurnool. Kalwakurthi foundation stone was laid in 1990 and it has not seen any progress since. The government proposed to revise the project to lift water in three stages. The government was not interested to implement it and postponing the project on some pretext or the other. The local leadership formed a group called: Kalwakurthi Jalasadha Samithi. They approached the NRI / NGO'S who had offered to finance 1800 crores for this projects. But the government has expressed its inability to accept the assistance on the ground that there is no sufficient water to lift from Krishna.

Pulichinthala Project: The implementation of this project will cause damage and adversely affect the farmers of Telangana. The Government is stating that it will supply additional water to left bank Sreesailam project and Bheema. Under this project about 45.75 TMC feet of water can be stored, which will irrigate only 2.7 lakh acres in Telangana where as it irrigates 14.00 lakhs acres in Krishna district. It is clear to see that this project will mostly benefit the Krishna delta.

The Government stated that by implementing this project only about 15,000 people would be affected in Nalgonda. But it is estimated that the project would submerge large areas in many parts of Nalgonda district. There are many questions lingering in the minds of Telangana people as to why the govt. is so keen to implement this project on priority basis when other projects in Telangana are not being implemented with the same vigor.

The High Court has issued notices in a writ challenging the action of the government proceeding with pulichintala project, without obtaining the clearance of the Union Ministry of Environment. It obviously indicates the haste by the Government in power to benefit the farmers in the upland areas in Guntur and Prakasham Dist.

The biggest injustice ever was done in the field of development and exploitation of water resources, and utilization of water resources for irrigation and drinking purposes from 3 rivers, Krishna, Godavari and Tungabhadra flowing from Telangana.

The biggest Nagarjunasagar Dam is constructed in Nalgonda district, which actually became a major source of irrigation in Krishna district. The Srisailam bank left canal to provide water for parched canals in Telanagana districts is still under implementation, whereas the right canal which feeds land in Kurnool and Cuddapah and Anantapur Dist is already completed and the downstream water from Srisailam Dam benefits Krishna District.

Projects on Godavari Basin



RIVER GODAVARI :

River Godavari flows through Telangana region. Originally the proposal was to construct high Pochampad Dam across Godavari near pochampad to utilize nearly 330 TMC of water from river Godavari and also to lay Godavari north and south canals to irrigate about 20. Lakh acres of land to benefit farmers of Adilabad, Karimanagar, Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda.

The catchment area under Godavari in Telangana is 61780 sq. kms about 79% and the catchment area in Andhra is about 16420 sq. kms i.e. 21% as against this background the cultivable area in Telangana under Godavari basin is 25.2 lakh hectares and in Andhra 10.7 lakh hectares should have been planned, allocating the available resources between Telangana and Andhra at the rate of 70% and 30% to Telangana and Andhra respectively, out of the available resources of 1480 TMC. of water. But the ground position is quite different as the allocation to Andhra area is 320 TMC of water, and in addition, the govt. has already projected plans for utilization of another 405 TMC water to Andhra region ignoring the right full claim of Telangana farmers. The S.R.S.R stage 1 started in July 1963 is still not completed, even after 36 years. Even if all the proposed or under execution projects are completed the total irrigated area under Godavari valley project will be about 7.10 lack hectares about 28% whereas in Andhra region the existing cultivable land under Godavari is 56.50%.

The bar chart below shows clearly the catchment area, cultivable land and irrigated area on Godavari Basin.


Region catchment cultivable land irrigated Area
Andhra

21%


30%


56.5%

Telangana


79%


70%


28%

A reservoir on Kadam as a part and parcel of north canal and lower Manair Reservoir on south canal was envisaged.

Another project across Manjira near Devarkonda was also planned to utilize about 38 TMC water which would benefit the farmers of Manjira valley in Medak dist.

The Godavari valley Multipurpose project, Devnoor Project, was abandoned and execution of Thungabhadra left canal was not taken up so far.

The total water available for utilization under Godavari Basin is about 1495 TMC of water out of which only 270 TMC of water is being utilized in Andhra region and another 185 TMC water is utilized in Telangana. It is evident that proper planning is not done for development of backward areas in Telangana.

Water allocation under Godavari Basin as per various agreements between Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra, Karnataka, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh is given under the heading "Godavari Basin" allocating 1172-78 TMC of water but utilization of water was planned as 1479-65 TMC.

I) NIZAM SAGAR PROJECT :

a) Originally the project was built in 1931 across Manjira river for irrigation of an ayacut of 2.75000 acres, but at present only a fraction is under irrigation. It is said that due to construction of SRSP, tail end ayacut will be submerged. The govt has not come out with the actual ayacut that will be effected due to SRSP.

b) The main reason is due to construction of Singur Dam which was planned to supply mainly the drinking water to the city.

c) Further due to siltation the storage capacity is reduced. Why the govt. is not taking steps to de-silt? The govt. is proposing to lift the water beyond AlisaugerTank. But the govt. has so far not taken steps for lifting the water as proposed, and did not take any measure to desilt the reservoir. It is said that the govt. still examining the lift irrigation. For its techno-economic feasibility as it may involve spending of 143 crores which the A.P. Govt. is not ready to spend. It is clear that the govt. of A.P. is not willing to implement the strategy suggested by the G.W.U.A in the near future.

SARASWATHI CANAL : (In Adilabad dist Saraswathi canal was planned to irrigate 1500Acres, for which forest clearance was sought with the principal chief conservator of forest Hyd. on 29-1 -00 which is still awaited. It appears that the government is not serious about its implementation as they could have got the clearance from the PCCF, Hyd, in no time if the case had been pressed. Further even distributors are still under planning stage.

KAKATIYA CANAL- 1st Phase: In the first phase the work from km 284 to km 345.932 was proposed to be taken up. So far no serious steps have been taken, and the work has not started. The government is proposing to approach the center for funding phase I but now it is explained by the government that on technical grounds one balancing reservoir is being planned instead of Acquaduct at km 285.10 of Kakatiya canal with investment of 19 crores. The latest position is that even for this balancing reservoir, doubts are being expressed that it may submerge 1500 acres, apart from submerging part of Warangal and Khammam highway. Hence the proposal in now almost put in cold storage.

II phase: clearance was obtained in June 2001, which was also cleared by planning commission. The government proposes to approach the center for funding this project, but so far no progress is made in this respect. Alignment particulars of the entire canal is approved by the government. Out of 284 to 346 km length, only for 12km length the land was acquired so far. The rest, the land acquisition proposals are being sent to the concerned collectors. The estimated cost of escalation from 284 km to 288 km is estimated at rupees 1021 lakhs which is approved by the government in Dec.01 and estimation from km 289 to 295 were revised and submitted to government for approval of 1709 lakhs. The government said to be seized with finalizing the tender's etc, for excavation of the canal. The land acquisition proceedings for the rest of 62 Acres is yet to be finalized.

MANDAKINI CANAL : Tail end of Saraswathi canal from km 77 to 144km. This canal is passing through forest zone in Adilabad. The government is proposing to address for the clearance of forest dept and to identify 614 hectares of land to surrender to the forest dept. To compensate the forest land, which is being identified in Adilabad dist, it is said that survey of land is going on to know the actual extent and location.

SRIRAM SAGAR PROJECT : Central water commission clearance was obtained in 1996 subject to forest clearance for 1210 acres. Administrative approval by the government was given in July 1996 for acquiring 229 acres out of which land is acquired up to 290 km (8Acr). For earthwork from 284km to 288km, costing about 10 crores proposals were sent to government for approval which are still awaited. The balance of 58 acres is still to be acquired.

SRIRAM SAGAR PROJECT (A): Stage II was planned to utilize 40.28TMC of water to irrigate 5.87 lakhs acres. It envisages extension of KAKATIYA MAIN CANAL from km 284 to km 345.932 to irrigate 4.40lakh acres in Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda (B) Extension of Sarswathi Canal from km 77 to km 144 to irrigate 80000 acres in Adilabad and modernisation of Kadam Canal up to km 77 from the origin covering an ayacut of 68000 acres in Adilabad.

The S.R.S.P (stage II) was approved by C.W.C on 3-4-96 for estimated cost of 698 crores. This work was not done and at present the cost has escalated to Rs.1210/- crores.

FLOOD FLOW CANAL : This project was envisaged for utilization of 20 TMC of water to irrigate 2.20lakh acres in Karimnagar, Warangal and Nalgonda Dists.The CWC has given clearance in 1996 for Rs.1333 crores.

SCOPE :(1) 44.30 km long canal for Head regulator of SRSP reservoir across PEDDA VAGU II and Konraopet in Karimnagar Dist. to irrigate 32000Acr with 7.6 TMC of water.

(2) 66.00km length canal from reservoir up to storage reservoir, to utilize 26 TMC of water to irrigate 68000 acres across Coratla Vagu, across Manair river near Manvada (V) in Karimnagar.

(3) 125km long canal from service reservoir up to service reservoir with 1.27TMC of water to irrigate 1.20 lakhs acres, at Gowravalli (V).

Under flood flow canal land acquisition is under way for 961 acres, consisting of 634 acres of private land and 187 acres of government land. Notification approving for Rs. 74,640007- was already issued by special collector L.A.

Proposals for Midmaneru project was submitted by L.A Deputy collector for 175 acres but there is no further development, on the plea that the royats are not allowing the survey staff to take up the survey work. The villagers of 9 submergible villages have represented to the government that the alignment to be changed to use upper Mannair reservoir for storage, instead of MMR near Manvada. The government has not agreed to the proposal as the capacity of MMR reservoir is 26 TMC as against upper Manair reservoir capacity of 2 TMC and turned down the demand as not feasible.

In all said and done, the major issue is the rate of compensation which has to be resolved with affected farmers. This is not being done, and the entire project is-kept pending by the government.

The government wants to implement the execution of work in two stages

1. The government accorded administrative approval for 859 crores to provide irrigation for 68000 acres in 1997, head regulators at SRSP, flood flow canal up to mid-Maneru, up to 130km, mid Maneru reservoir at Manvada, in Karimnagar on Manair to utilize 25.87 TMC and an irrigation canals from mid Manair reservoir Left canal 21 km to irrigate 9500 acres and right canal to irrigate 58500 acres.

The total cost of (phase 1 as above, is worked out to rupees 2100 crores for acquiring 2780 acres of land in Nizamabad, and 2500 acres in Vemulavada, Sirisilla and Ellanthakunta of Karimnagar Dist. for laying canals.The project is subject to clearance by forest department, tribal welfare, and investment clearance from planning commission. It is stated by the govt. of A.P that proposals for the above clearance are being sent for the funding the project. Detailed project reports are still under preparation by the government. So far nothing is done on field. Proposal for land acquisition, compensation was fixed at 40000/- and 16000/-per acre of wet and dry land respectively by the government as against the demand of the farmers at the rate of 2.60lakhs,2.85lakhs and 1.50lakhs per acre respectively, presently under cultivation of turmeric, paddy and other crops respectively.

To resolve the land acquisition dispute, district Lok Adalaths have been formed for Nizamabad District and Karimnagar district. The District Lok Adalath at Nizamabad has been convened on 4-7-2001, 9-7-2001, 28-7-2001. The effected royots are demanding Rs. 2,08,200 to Rs.3,35,300 per acre where as the rate offered by the government is only Rs.1.00 lakh per acre. Due to the large variation no settlement could be reached. The Lok Adalath were again held on 25-8-2001,15-9-2001, 5 & 6-10-2001 and after that the DLA was adjourned indefinitely and final decisions has to taken.

Lower Penganga Project:This project is a joint project of Maharastra and Andhra Pradesh across river PenGanga near Chilkala Wadi (v) in Yeotmal, to cultivate 2.38 lakh acres in Yeotmal, Chanda, Dist. of Maharastra and 40000Ac in Adilabad Dist. Andhra Pradesh.

It is informed that out of total yield, water up to Penganga is 123 TMC and the upstream utilization is 83 TMC, the remaining 42 TMC of water can be shared in ratio of 38 TMC for Maharastra and 5 TMC for Andhra Pradesh. It was also agreed that the cost of head works will be shared by the respective states on proportion of water utilization and the cost of canals by the respective states. A joint control board will be established for execution of the project. However as the canal is passing through a sanctuary in Maharastra, revised realignment proposals are under consideration. Meanwhile it is learnt that a writ petition was also filed by the affected Royats of Maharastra before the High Court at Aurangabad, which is pending.

PRANAHITA LI SCHEME : It was proposed across Pranahita river a tributary of Godavari. About 6(v) in Maharastra will be submerged on execution of this project. The government of Maharastra has expressed its inability to accept the proposal. As an alternative, the government is proposing to utilize natural pool in the Godavari river below the confluence of Vardha and Wain Ganga nearTumbi in Adilabad Dist and lift 5TMC of water in 2 stages to irrigate 50000 acres in Adilabad Dist. The cost of project was estimated Rs. 210 crores. (As A.P. Share, 1999-2000).

YELLAMPALLI BARAGE : This is an important project on river Godavari. The site of the project is proposed near Yellampalli (V) Pedapalli, Karimnagar Dist. It is proposed to utilize 65TMC of water from this project, which is below the catchment area of Sriramsagar reservoir. This will enable to augment water supply to tail end Ayacut of SRSP Stage: I and Stage: II. The water of this project can also be utilized for NTPC as an alternative.

Proposed water utilization is as under.

1) Pumping of water to lower Maneru dam to irrigate

4.4lac acres under S.R.S.P Stage I 39.50 TMC

2) Pumping to Saraswatni canal Tail endto irrigate

an Ayacut 79000 acres unders R.S.P Stage II 10.00 TMC

3) Pumping of water to NTPC by lifting water in

2 stages (Costing about 60 corores) 6.50 TMC

4) Evarapation loss 7.00 TMC

Total 63.00 TMC

The Head works at the Barrage is estimated to cost 980 crores. A new circle is formed to supervise this project.

SARASWATHI CANAL: Under item no(3) above the pumping of 10 TMC of water from Yellampalli Barage from 6.5 km to km 77 of Kadem canal to irrigate 79000 acres of ayacut, cost of the scheme is estimated to 76 crores.

Yellampally project Scheme : (Pumping to LMD)

1) FIRST STAGE : From the Yellampalli Barage intake well to Bandlavagu Cheruvu, to a length of 4kms by lift irrigation.

2) SECOND STAGE : From Bandla Vagu Cheruvu to Nandimedaram Tank by lift irrigation at 8.64kms for a length of 4.54.kms.

3) THIRD STAGE : From N. Medaram to lift for a length of 7.48kms.

4) FOURTH STAGE : From km16 to another 4.65km with lift.

5) FIFTH STAGE : From km 20 to 28 km up to Kakatiya main canal,at Choppadandi.

6) SIXTH STAGE : from km 28 to 52 km up to LMD the water flows by gravity.

The estimated project cost is 1660 crores

The above project plans are entrusted to M/s. consulting engineering services (India) Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, for taking up detailed investigation and preparing detailed project report by the end of May 02. But still no progress is made in this respect.

ICHAMPALLY PROJECT :This is an Interstate multipurpose project across Godavari, 12km down stream at the confluence of Pranahita and Indravathi. The project is envisaged between A.P, Maharastra and Chattisgadh states. The project is to be planned, surveyed and executed. This project after completion will irrigate I570UO acres in Kaharif and 173000 acres in rabi in Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam dists, Under Godavari basin, utilizing 85 TMC of water from the joint grid. The estimated cost of the project is about 4520 crores (SSR 2000)

In the beginning this project was not accepted by the central government on the ground of loss of forest lands due to submerging and it was suggested to select some alternative site from the head works. Now Ichampally site is finally decided as the best site for the head works.

The governments of A. P, Maharastra, and Chattisgadh has submitted their reports to the Prime Minister to treat this project as National project and to sanction the require funds for execution of this project. The central government has constituted a high level committee in July 2000 and the information compiled by the Govt. of A. P. has been discussed by this committee in the second meeting in January 2001. As decided by this committee, the A.P Government had prepared a note on parameters and B.C ratio for different FRLS and furnished to CWC, and to the government of Maharastra and Chattisgadh for approval.

With regards to utilization of 50 TMC to irrigate 500000 acres, a joint control board has been constituted for finalizing FRL +95M is communicated to the respective governments. Concurrence of government of Maharastra is received, and from the government of Chattisgadh is awaited.

The foundation of this project was laid as early as in 1969, but the project is still not cleared so far by the State Govt. Though the Central Govt. has giver, it's clearance a years back. The State Govt. has agenda for discussion to resolve the Inter state dispute with Chattisgarh for treating the project as a national project. It appears that the State Govt. is not keen for implementing this project as otherwise there is no reason why this cannot be resolved for the last 30 years. When a bigger Interstate dispute of Cavery waters can amicably be resolved, why not this dispute, if the state Govt. takes interest sincerely. The project if completed would benefit Warangal, Khammam, Karimnagar and Nalgonda dists. The original plan of 112 Mts of Bund across river Godavari is revised and reduced to 95 Mts which might effect very little, submerging a small area in Chatisgarh. The Govt. of A.P never tried sincerely to come up with a clear mandate to resolve this Inter - State dispute by involving the centre.

GODAVARI LIFT IRRIGATION SCHEME : Godavari runs in Andhra Pradesh for a length of 770kms from the confluence of Manjeera river. After construction of SRSP near Pochampad, the balance of 700 kms, is left with out any project up to Sir Arther Cotton Barrage. The water in the river is mostly contributed by river Pranahita and Indravati rivers. The total annual flow is estimated at 1480 TMC and the excess and unutilized water is flowing in to the sea. Hence the government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to utilize the excess water by lift irrigation schemes, as Godavari lift irrigation project to supply 50 TMC of water to Ichampally project, to bring under irrigation vast lands in Karimnagar, Warangal, Nalgonda and Medak dists. As the river flow at 90 mtr. level, and Ayacut in these dists. is at +360 to 500 mtrs. contours (up to 430mts) only the lift irrigation is the solution.

The ayacut under this lift irrigation scheme wiii be in addition to the ayacut already under a cultivation under Incha'mpally Dam, SRSP and flood flow canals. It is proposed to lift 50 TMC to irrigate the following areas.

(a) Karimnagar, 0.95 lac Acres

(b) Warangal 1.95 lac Acres

(c) Nalgonda 1.10 lac Acres

(d) Medak 1.00 lac Acres

Total 5.00 lac Acres

The lift point on Godavari will be 12km down stream of Inchampally dam sight, near Devadula(v) in Warangal dist. The lifting of 50 TMC of water is with in the allocated waters under Godavari water dispute Tribunal award.

STAGES OF LIFTING : On the right bank of river Godavari, runs along the forest.

1) First lift from the 70M to 110M

2) Second lift from 110 to 140M, a length of about 8.5km using Bhim Ganpurtank, Kesava Pattanam tank, and Hasanpalli tank to a height of + 170M + 190M + 220 M + 503M in the 147km length of canals including 97km gravity Channels.

The total scheme involves 430mts to irrigate 3.80 lakh acres in command area, located at a lift of 360M, and 120 lakh acres situated at 500M involving (14) stages with a lift from 10.55 mtrs. in each stage.

The power requirement for this total lift irrigation scheme is 350 MW and total cost of the scheme is estimated at 1800 crores including the cost of land.The government has sanctioned 4.50 crores for Stage 1 and the foundation was laid on 16-6-01 and the department has asked permission to seek international advise on the project. The present stage of the project is under survey and it was decided to entrust the work of preparation of DPR to WAP COS (companies) at a cost 4.15 crores.

It should be expedited as time bound work as the proposed project is going to benefit three dists. to irrigate large tracks of land in the backward region of Telangana.

SINGAREDDY PALLI HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT :This is proposed as multi purpose and envisaged to produce 350 MW of power, which is under consideration and survey of the government.

DUMMUGUDEM POWER PROJECT : Dummugudem anicut was built about 40 years back which is located near Pamulapalli(v) Aswaraopet (M) in Khammam dist, which is 25km up stream of Bhadrachalam. But it is said that the expert committee constituted by the government has reported that it may not be a viable project. However the government has again asked the department to resubmit the project report, to hand over the project to private sector.

DUMMUGUDEM LIFT IRRIGATION SCHEME : This project is proposed on the right bank of Godavari, to lift water to a total height of 115 mtrc in 7 olagcs, which requires 30.50 MW of power to irrigate 91000 acres in Aswapuram, Burugarrtpadu, Palvancha, Tekulapalli, Kothagudem, Julur Padu, Enkur, Kallur, Penavalli and Sattupalli in Khammam.The gravity canals length is 126 kms in between seven stages. This project requires De-forestation of 730 hectares of Reserve forest in total length of 55 kms. Tentative cost of the project is estimated at 330 crores. The govt. hear provided only Rs. 3.00 crores, and on the ground of financial cru. It is proposed by the government to give the entire execution of the project to private parties.
ISSUES ON PROJECTS IN TELANGANA

The following figures will give an idea as to what extent the planning of various projects was manipulated and revised to the advantage of the Andhra region

PLANNED ORIGINALLY IN ANDHRA REGION

ORIGINAL PLANNING


U/Godavari


U/Krishna 5.87


U/Penna




4.38 1k.Ac


5.87 1k.Ac


1.751k.Ac

NOW U/IRRIGATION


10.69 1k. Ac


12.65 1k. Ac


2.851 k.Ac

1. SINGUR PROJECT: Contemplated with 15 TMC water to irrigate 87000 acres. Now reduced to 6.51 TMC water to irrigate 50000 acres.The govt. never came with a clear mandate and plan resources and fund provisions etc and did not put sincere efforts to resolve the interstate dispute which can benefit the four Telangana backward districts.

2. NIZAM SAGAR PROJECT: It is proposed to raise the height of the gates by 4-5 feet at Kalyani reservoir and to supplement N.S.main canal at a cost of 985 Iks. Work is reported to be under progress.

Please call/email/fax central leaders to expedite the process to create Telangana

Call Central leaders

Please call/email/fax central leaders to expedite the process to create Telangana state as soon as possible.
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India manmohan@sansad.nic.in TEL. (O) : +91 11 23012312, +91 11 23013149, +91 11 23016857
TEL. (R) : +91 11 23018939, +91 11 23011156, +91 11 23018907
TEL. (PH) : +91 11 23017660, +91 11 23019817, +91 11 23034960

Smt. Sonia Gandhi

soniagandhi@sansad.nic.in

TEL. (O) +91 11 23034984, +91 11 23034285
TEL. (R) +91 11 23014161, +91 11 23014481
Fax : +91 11 23018651
Shri Pranab Mukherjee pkm@sansad.nic.in TEL. (O) +91 11 23011165, +91 11 23011127, +91 11 23011463
TEL. (R) +91 11 23737623, +91 11 23323042
Shri Sharad Pawar
sharadpawar.sp@gmail.com +91 11 23383370 (A)
+91 11 23384129 (Fax)
+91 11 23388165
+91 11 23382756 (Fax)
Shri P. Chidambaram pchidambi@yahoo.co.in, +91 11 23381213
+91 11 23386645
+91 11 23387333 (Fax)
Kumari Mamata Banerjee mamata.sansad@sansad.nic.in +91 11 23381213
+91 11 23386645
+91 11 23387333 (Fax)
Shri M. Veerappa Moily vmoily@kar.nic.in

+91 11 23384567 +91 11 23010008 (O)
+91 11 23015223 (Fax)
Mobile : 9845536333
Shri Ahmed Patel patelm@sansad.nic.in +91 11 23014669
+91 11 23793801 (Fax)
Shri Shri Anto Antony anto.antony@ymail.com +91 9013180320
Shri Rahul Gandhi office@rahulgandhi.in +91 11 23019056, +91 11 23019080 (O)
+91 11 23795161 (R)
+91 11 23012410 (Fax)

1. Facts: Based on the facts, Telangana has been discriminated for decades by Andhra rulers. Even Home Minister Shri Chidambaram acknowledged it while announcing the Telangana sate on Dec 9th.

2. Telangana is unique: There are many demands for separate states, but Telangana is unique. The merger with Andhra was not unconditional. Forced merger of Telangana with Andhra was opposed by Telangana people, then CM, B. Ramakrishna Rao and first SRC (Fasal Ali commission). The conditional merger failed time and again. Andhra leader broke all the agreement between Telangana and Andhra starting from Gentlemen's agreement, Mulki rules, to 610 Go, which gives preferential treatment to local people. Even Prime Minister Nehru said in 1956 that Telangana can separate from Andhra, if Telangana people don't like the merger at a later date.

3. Globalization: We don't want to miss the fruits of the globalization. Even though Hyderabad city has many IT and Pharma , most of our young people don't have adequate education to take up the jobs. Our education system has been discriminated for the last 5 decades and we can only improve our children lives with our own rule.

4. National interest: We tell the world that we have more number of young people than any other country in the world. If we don't provide the young people adequate development and proper education, they will be restless and they might lean towards extremism. Based on the past history of violent struggles in Telangana, it is in our national interest to develop Telangana immediately.. Status quo doesn't work, so we need to expedite the Telangana state process as soon as possible.

5. Exploitation. Our people have been exploited for last 50 years. Thousands of our young people in Gulf jails, hundreds of thousands of people migrated to other parts of country, because of no livelihood in Telangana. We like our hi-tech city, but not over the dead bodies of thousands of farmers, weavers and others, who committed suicide leaving vulnerable women and children on the street. It is time to make the state a reality.

6. Water discrimination . More than eight percent of the Telangana depend on agriculture. Most of the farmers still depend on the well irrigation. The well irrigation is expensive with constant problems with the electric motors. The amount of land cultivated through canals in just Guntur district of Andhra is more than the land cultivated with canals in entire Telangana region.

7. Smaller states are better to administer. Amazingly, all three new states, Jharkhand , Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand have grown fabulously fast. Uttarakhand has averaged 9.31% growth annually, Jharkhand 8.45%, and Chattisgarh 7.35%. These underdeveloped parts of the big states, emerged highly dynamic states. There are two main rivers in South India passing through Telangana. Telangana can grow faster by utilizing the water, natural resources effectively for the state.

8. United for Telangana: People from all walks of life, students, teachers, employees, labor unions, business groups and political leaders are eagerly waiting for the new state.

9. Selfish motives of Andhra leaders: Selfish Andhra leaders are instigating agitation for their personal benefit. Their only argument is, we speak the same language and we should be together. They have no answer for why Telangana is backward and what they are planning to do.

10. Minority: Telangana has 119 MLAs, and Andhra has 175 MLAs. Numerically Andhra leaders are strong, so they belittled Telangana leaders and people time and again. So we need to your help to create Telangana state.

11. Suffering: Telangana people suffered during Razakar movement before 1948, now we are suffering with Andhra leaders. We need your help to liberate us from the clutches of power hungry, selfish Andhra leaders.

Our young people are unemployed, our farmers are in huge debt, our poor people are hungry, our children are working in the fields and our elderly don't have adequate medical facilities. We need the state now, not later. Andhra leaders argument is that we speak the same language. There are many Hindi speaking states, so there is no merit to their argument. We are in need for food, shelter, education, water and employment with our own state,

Please expedite the process of creating Telangana state.

TELANGANA: A TALE OF UNMITIGATED MISERY :

TELANGANA: A TALE OF UNMITIGATED MISERY :
P.L. Vishweshwer Rao

The spectre of drought is a constant feature in Telangana especially. since no attempts have been made to fight it on a long term basis with the implementation of permanent anti-drought measures. The problem is made worse as irrigation is underdeveloped, there has been no industrialization nor has any skill development taken place in the region. The result is that a majority of the people, the poor and the landless are at the mercy of nature. Only a copious monsoon can assure them of at least three months of wages. Or else, they leave their hearths and homes and migrate to distant cities in search of livelihood.

Figures vary on the number of people migrating from the drought prone districts of Telangana: the more severe the problem the greater is the exodus from almost all areas of the state to the nearest urban conglomeration: from the North Telangana to Maharashtra from South to Hyderabad, and from West to Karnataka. According to estimates, during any year, the poorest and the driest district of Mahabubnagar sees the exodus of five lakh labourers, well-known through­out India for their hard work. Better known as "Palamur labour”, they have worked in every major project construction in India and yet they have remained half-fed, half-clothed, forced to live the life of nomads, going back to their native village not only to return to the old people they had left behind but to their soil to which they belong; A soil that remains dry most of the year, which does not provide them sustenance and yet to which they return year after year, season after agricultural season, with hope. According to estimates, as many as 12 lakh people have migrated out of Mahabubnagar in 1997 as monsoon failed.

Though the Indian Meteorological Department predicted an optimistic monsoon this year for the country, as far as Andhra Pradesh is concerned, the conditions are precarious. The onset of monsoon itself was delayed and even after onset, there were no widespread rains and drought conditions prevailed till the end of June. Only during the first week of July, there were rains, although the quantum received was low. Again, drought conditions prevailed during second and third weeks of July, rendering most of the rain fed crops unsown. There were long dry spells ranging from 15 to 18 days in almost all the agro-climatic zones of the State, which stunt crop and drastically reduce its growth.

The South-West monsoon normally sets in the first week of June in the State. But the monsoon in 1997 set in on June 12 and it was well below normal. The most affected region was Telangana with 45 per cent rainfall deficiency while overall deficiency for the State worked out to 38 per cent. The deficit in Coastal Andhra was 34 percent and in Rayalaseema 36 per cent.

The region-wise assessment of rainfall shows that North Telangana received 290 mm rainfall as against a normal of 472 mm as on August 6, 1997, a deficit of 39 percent. South Telangana was the most affected receiving only 201.5 mm rain­fall as against a normal of 350 mm, which was a deficit of 42 per cent. The deficit in North Coastal Andhra was 32 per cent, in South Coastal 37 percent, and in Rayalaseema 36 per cent.

Up to August 27, the State as a whole received 275 mm of rainfall against 441 mm of normal, a deficit of 38 per cent of normal. The districts of North Telangana received a deficit of 44 per cent. This region received 356 mm rainfall as against normal of 641 mm. South Telangana received 247 mm as against the normal of 459 mm with a deficit of 46 per cent. The region-wise split-up reveals that north coastal Andhra received 381 mm as against 488 mm of normal, a deficit of22 per cent. Similarly, South Coastal Andhra also received a rainfall of 190 mm as against the normal of 318 mm the deficit being 40 per cent (Table I). Rayalaseema region which receives a normal rainfall of 233 mm has received only 160 mm recording a deficit of 31 per cent. Revival of the south west mon­soon rains in mid-September did not do much to undo the damage since the crop was a total failure and could not be retrieved. To some extent the late rains filled up the water sources and recharged the groundwater but that was not enough.

The rain deficit in comparison to the normal annual rainfall showed that Telangana's deficit was the highest with 45 per cent. The rain deficit in coastal Andhra districts was 30 per cent and in Rayalaseema 31 per cent, according to official estimates put out by the office of the Relief Commissioner. The rainfall deficit district-wise showed the deficit in Telangana districts ranged from 31 per cent in Khammam to 58 per cent in Mahabubnagar which was the worst affected (Table 2).

While the Union Agriculture Minister Chaturanan Mishra was taken on a whirlwind tour of the drought-affected areas in Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda and Rangareddy districts in the first week of September, the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu assured the people that there won't be any problems in the Krishna and Godavari delta regions but the upland areas would need attention. He did not utter a Word on the trauma being undergone by the people in Telangana. He undertook an aerial tour of Karimmigar in the second week of September and said that the state was in the grip of "severe drought". It was not until September 13 when he announced that 755 mandals out of 1,110 mandals in the state that Naidu spoke of the drought situation in Telangana.

An analysis of the government's figures on the number of mandals affected by drought as determined by the new norms laid down by the revised drought manual shows that 84.5 per cent of mandals in Rayalaseema were drought-hit; 76 per cent in Telangana and 59 per cent in coastal Andhra (Srikakulam district not included as the statistics were not available) (Table 3 and 4).

The government admitted that about 250 mandals were reeling under severe drought conditions with a majority of them being in Telangana but the govern­ment did not declare the areas drought-hit which would automatically devolve several benefit to the affected people in terms of employment, subsidized food grains and odder, postponement of loan and tax collections.

According to official figures, about 755 mandals out of 1110 in the state faced severe drought conditions. Six out of23 districts have received less than 50 per cent of the normal rainfall. In others, rainfall varies between 40-60 per cent but in view of the late onset of monsoon this year, the damage to crops even in districts which received normal rainfall is expected to be considerable in view of long spells of dry weather after the start of agricultural operations in the wake of monsoon rains.

Initial reports of the situation in the entire state said that against 8.16 lakh hectares of area under paddy during the previous kharif season, only 6.20 lakh hectares could be brought under the crop in 1997 kharif. In most of the areas, transplantations were delayed. Under dry crops, only 28.85 lakh hectares were sown this season, as against 47.34 lakh hectares during the previous season. According to Official statistics, agricultural production in the state is likely to come down by 25 per cent on account of adverse seasonal conditions. Paddy trans­plantation was completed only in 9.30 lakh hectares of land as against 28 lakh hectares. The average was 36 per cent of the normal area for paddy, 65 per cent for pulses, 50 per cent for dry crops and 36 per cent for oilseeds. Groundnut crop was taken up in 6.53 lakh hectares as against the normal area of 11.88 lakh hectares.

According to statistics, the total dry crops coverage in the State stood at 21 lakh hectares as against a normal area of 53 lakh hectares. The corresponding figure of dry crops for 1996 was 37 lakh hectares, which means that an extent 16 lakh hectares was not covered. Most of the dry crops are grown in Telangana Minor irrigation sources such as tanks and wells have dried up due to scanty rainfall and there has been no transplantation of paddy in areas irrigated by minor irrigation sources that which are mostly in Telangana.

While there is quibbling among officials as to when a drought should be declared and what criteria to follow, the most reliable indicators are the pee themselves. Among the people-oriented indicators of drought are: mass migra1 of people, widespread distress sale of cattle, and increased dacoities which attributed to near-famine conditions prevailing leading to unemployment and he the people driven to desperation. Even under normal conditions at least five I agricultural laborers migrate to other areas from the drought-prone Mahabubnagar district which is-the poorest and most backward, during the off-season in search of work. In 1997 it is estimated that 12 lakh persons have migrated.

For a more deeper perspective and the extent of the suffering of the people is necessary to study district-wise the overall picture of the drought.
Mahabubnagar

Mahabubnagar district received only 220 mm rainfall against the normal 432­mm up to August end. Almost all crops withered away with 654 irrigation sour received no water. An estimated 5000 bore wells and about 80,000 irrigation WI dried up. Due to shortage of fodder thousands of cattle were sent off to slaughter houses. In certain areas drinking water was available once in five days and Jadcherla town it was supplied once in 10 days. "Drought pensions" were sanctioned to 10,000 persons by the government in the district while scores of villages turned into ghost habitations with all able bodied persons migrating to distant cities with their young ones leaving behind the old who could not travel.

Mahabubnagar district bore the brunt of drought this year, with agricult1 alone reporting crop loss of Rs 400 crores. The district Collector sent several reports on the alarming situation in the district. Against 9.15 lakh hectares of la taken up for cultivation during kharif season, only 4.45 lakh hectares were taken up this year. Out of the cultivated area of 4.45 hectares, crops in 3.75 hectares were damaged due to scanty rainfall. Normally paddy is cultivated in 1.24 lakh hectares in the district, but this time it was cultivated only 38,304hectares,out of which the crop in 26,m hectares got damaged. As against normal area 2.71 hectares, jowar was sown in 1.37 hectares out of which the .crop in 1.27 lakh hectares got damaged. Similarly, castor was grown in 47,087 hectares as against the normal area of 1.37 lakh hectares and the crop in, 38.247 hectares was damaged due to continuing dry spell. Cotton is normally grown in 79,928 hectare, but this time it was sown in only 49,977 hectares.

Not many efforts were made to change the situation of almost continuous drought in Mahabubnagar district. This district receives one of the scantiest rain­fall and yet whenever drought situation has arisen some temporary measures are adopted but no long-term programmes implemented to reverse the drought condi­tions nor efforts were made to mitigate them through the well-known measures such as watershed development, and harnessing rain water run-off. According to a study, the district uses only five per cent of the rain water for irrigation and drink­ing purposes while the rest flows unutilized into Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers.

Sheer neglect has marked the planning by irrigation department. Several major and medium irrigation projects planned for mitigating the drought conditions have remained on paper. For instance, the Priyadarshini Jurala project, Bhima first and second phases, Nettempadu, Koilsagar, Peddamarur and Kalwakurthy lift irrigation schemes which were expected to irrigate 4.5 lakh hectares apart from providing protected water supply to hundreds of habitations have not been taken up. Successive governments have shown little concern or sympathy with the people of Mahabubnagar.
Medak

Fodder scarcity has become a major problem in Medak as inadequate rains have prevented farmers from growing fodder and barren grasslands have affected cattle and she<,p in this district with one of the highest cattle population.
Warangal

According to experts, drought conditions have been spreading to several non ­drought areas in Warangal. Failure of rains for the past six years in parts of Warangal has forced fanners to leave their land fallow which is increasing monsoon after failed monsoon. All the 50 mandals in the district were severely affected. The water level in minor irrigation sources like Parkal and Ramappa lakes and Salivagu project is much below the normal with Lakkavaram Lake and Malluruvagu project recording zero level till July 15. Lakkavaram and Parkal lakes have almost dried up with little in flows into them. It is feared that the groundwater resources would be threatened if such dry conditions continue. In agriculture, paddy transplanta­tion was possble in only 15,000 ha as against the normal area of 1.03 lakh ha. Jowar, greengram, groundnut and cotton crops in thousands of hectares of land were affected by the drought.

The Warangal Collector reported that all the 51 mandals in the district were drought-hit. About 46 per cent of shortfall in rain during the South West monsoon had left 56 per cent of the normal sown area to be left fallow causing a crop loss of Rs 276.95 crores. In real terms, two lakh hectares were left fallow out of the normal 3.53 lakh hectares sown. Out of 1.53 lakh hectares sown in 1997 kharif lack of rains had damaged crops over 38,000 hectares. Special arrangement were made to transport fodder from Palampet to Jangaon, the worst affected revenue division in the district.
Nalgonda

The district faced this kind of drought for the first time in 12 years. The most affected district after Mahabubnagar was Nalgonda. With the exception of only two mandals out of 59 in the district all the mandals have been affected by drought. Only five mandals received normal rainfall. More than half of the villages faced severe shortage of drinking water. All tanks dried up, and with the groundwater level receding, more than half of bore wells too dried up. Crops were raised in only half of the total cultivable area and there was acute scarcity of fodder. Milk collection in the district fell by 15 lakh litres daily due to the monsoon failure and fodder scarcity.

Nalgonda threatened to turn into a desert as land cracked for lack of rain, tanks and small irrigation sources dried up, emaciated cattle were drive to Hyderabad's slaughter houses and mass exodus of people began. Newspapers reported that in Mallepally village in the drought-hit Deverakonda Assembly constituency of the district, Mallaiah, a marginal farmer of Peddadisarlapally village was taking home an emaciated cow along with its calf which he bought for a throwaway price of Rs 1800. In normal times this pair would have cost Rs 3600. Many farmers, unable to grow fodder, sold away their bulls and buffaloes for a paltry Rs 1500 or Rs 2000. With even dry crops like bajra, jowar and groundnut not sown, there was no possibility of farmers being left with fodder for their cattle. Local farmers said most of the cattle were being sold to contractors of various slaughter houses in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Although this was a regular phenomenon, the sale of cattle for slaughter was more pronounced due to drought this year. The district's cattle population is 15 lakh but the fodder stock was sufficient for only three lakh heads of cattle.

In 24 out of the 59 mandals in the district, the rainfall was less than 60 per cent in 30 mandals, it was 26 per cent to 30 per cent less in five mandals and 5 per cent less in five mandals. There are 549 small irrigation sources in the district, out of which only 124 tanks received water for irrigation. In the rainfed areas, crops on 7.35 lakh acres are sown in normal years in the district, but only four lakh acres were sown in 1997 due to inadequate rains. With fields drying up in 21 out of 59 mandals there was a drastic fall in paddy cultivation in 1997. Paddy was transplanted in 28,660 hectares of land as against the normal cultivation of 1.39 lakh hectares. Only 19 per cent transplantation could be completed. In the rainfed area, 57 per cent transplantation was completed but with long spells of drought the yield is expected to be low. The Nalgonda district agricultural authorities have estimated that the loss of crop production due to the drought is about 1.23 lakh tonnes valued at Rs 7,333 lakh. .

Dry crops under rain-fed area were planted in only 1.83 lakh hectares as. against the normal cultivation of 2.92 lakh hectares.
Nizamabad

Out of 36 mandals in the district as many as 31 have been declared drought hit. Severe drought combined with irregular and low quality power supply saw the farmers of this district attack electricity sub stations and the staff. They were frustrated that due to lack of power they were unable to use whatever water there was in their borewells to save their crops. There has been only 40 per cent of the normal rainfall in the district resulting in the drying up of 1600-odd minor irrigation tanks in the district. The medium irrigation projects like Ramadugu and Pocharam were nearly dry. The command area crops have been affected as the Nizamsagar dam level reached its lowest level in several years.
Karimnagar

This district was the only "fortunate" one in Telangana which was visited by the Chief Minister to study the drought situation in mid-September when the drought was clear to everyone. For the first time since Sriramsagar Dam was constructed in 1970 it dried up in August leaving no water even for fish which died in hun­dreds and thousands. According to government officials, fish worth Rs one lakh died for lack of water. The dam had dried up in 1987 but that was in summer. For the first time it dried up during monsoon.

The State government took its own time to come out with a realistic plan of action to tackle the serious drought situation and the drying up of the Sriramsagar reservoir which threatened paddy crop over severallakh hectares. Although the drought conditions were obvious in late July itself as rains had totally failed, the government waited until September 13 to declare formally the district as "drought hit." 25 out of 56 mandals were declared as "drought-hit."

Revenue minister T Devender Goud has gone on record saying in August ­end that 274 mandals had been identified as having abysmally low rainfall, but he did not dec1!'ire them as "drought-hit". Relief measures continued to elude these regions reeling under drought. Once a district is declared drought-affected, the government has to waive interest on all agriculture loans and reschedule their recovery, give 25 per cent subsidy on seeds and fertilizers and take up on war-footing relief measures such as digging of bore wells, provision of drinking water and supply of fodder for the cattle.

As many as 37 out of 46 revenue mandals experienced drought in Khammam while major and minor irrigation tanks got minimal inflows. The crop area fell by about 50 per cent in as many as nine of the 46 mandals in the district where the scarcity conditions are acute. The agriculture under the minor irrigation sources, which could not receive sufficient water so far this year, has been affected. About 40,000 hectares of agriculture land lay barren in the absence of sufficient rains. Minor and lift irrigation schemes irrigate an ayacut of about two lakh hectare in the district. There are 382 such schemes, which come under the minor irrigation department. Besides, 300 small tanks irrigate a considerable area. Tanks irrigation an area of 70,000 hectares, canals 65,000 hectares, bore wells 5000 hectares and lift irrigation schemes irrigate 3000 hectares. As many as 43 of the total 46 mandals received low rainfall, of which 29 mandals registered less than 50 per cent of the normal rainfall. Ten mandals got rainfall ranging from 30 per cent to 50 per cent and two mandals as low as 20 per cent to 30 per cent during the current Kharif season. Wazed, Venkatapuram, Charla, Dummugudem, Aswaraopet, Vemsoor, Kallur, Mudigonaa Pinapaka, Manugur, Kunavaram and Konijerla are the worst affected mandals.
Relief Programmes Delayed

Although agricultural operations did not begin and migration had started in full earnest by August end, the government failed to instruct the districts to launch drought relief measures. Official figures of rainfall told the tragic tale: 30 per cent deficit in rainfall all over the state (as on August 31); the situation was worse in

Telangana, with 45 per cent deficit in rainfall until then. The Agriculture Department had submitted a detailed report on the agricultural situation but no action was taken as the Chief Minister was busy with other things. Similarly, the Revenue Department did not react to reports from the various drought-affected districts with the result that no planned, coordinated, substantial drought relief measures were undertaken till the middle of September. By then a large number of cattle were led to slaughterhouses and villages emptied of peop1e as they migrated to urban areas looking for a livelihood. A major problem in Telangana during drought is the scarcity of fodder. Several districts have a huge cattle population which is difficult to sustain in such times. Till August end the government had released only Rs 34.40 lakh to supply the fodder as against the Animal Husbandry department recomm_ndation for the release of Rs 5.37 crore for one month which itself is an underestimated figure. At this rate each drought hit mandal would get barely a lorry load of fodder a day.

As a result of the failure of the monsoon in Telangana, a very small fraction of land sown during normal monsoons could be cultivated. Out of a normal sowr area of 26 lakh acres under dry crop in the region, only 5.3 lakh acres were sown; 'and as against 3.5 lakh acres under agricultural pump sets, a mere 58,000 acres were brough_ uhder (tultivation. That is, about 80 per cent of the normal sown area under dry crpps and 85 per cent of area under pump sets could not be cultivated in Telangana.

Inflow into the Sriramsagar (SRSP) Project across the Godavari river were the lowest in its history (Table 5). In the absence of water releases into SRSP canals, paddy crop in seven lakh acres in four districts, including five lakh acres in Karimnagar district alone, was endangered. The catchment areas of Godavari were receiving rain but the water was being impounded by the Jaikwadi dam, upstream of SRSP. While the state government made a big row about the construc­tion of Almatti dam in Karnataka and every now and then makes issue over low levels ofwater released from Tungabhadra and other project ,upstream on Krishna river in Kamataka, it has not raised the Jaikwadi issue with the government of Maharashtra It could not persuade Maharashtra to release 20 tmc ft of water from Jaikwadi project on upstream Godavari into SRSP which could have saved the crops. Acconding to estimates, farmers had invested at least Rs 2000 an acre for preparing the fields and for transplanting paddy. The estimated loss of paddy crop, at the rate of 20 quintals an acre, would be nearly Rs 500 crores.

The Major Irrigation Minister explained that Maharashtra had not agreed to the proposal since Maharashtra too was facing acute water shortage due to failure of rains. There was only 35 tmc water in the project as against its full capacity of 120 tmc. He said even if the Maharashtra counterpart released 10 tmc water, it would take more than 20 days to traverse 320 km to reach the Sriramsagar project in Andhra Pradesh. Besides evaporation and transmission losses, more than three tmc water wquld get stagnated at the barrages en route. The government explored no alternative(s; if a similar situation arose in either Coastal Andhra or Rayalaseema, it would have been under great pressure to act, to pay compensation and reduce distress of the people.

Drought Manual Revised

The Anjdhra Pradesh Government has replaced the old Drought Manual of 1981, which, was based on the outdated Famine Code of 1950, with a new one prepared by fl, committee headed by Mr. A V S Reddy, a senior IAS officer. The new manual based on the principle of relativity and therefore, is fair, scientific and objective. It has removed all the discretionary powers of the District Collectors in assessing the drought situation and instead made certain physical parameters, such as rainfall, mandatory for declaring ail area as drought-hit.

The new manual says, deficit rainfall in any two of the three other conditions­ sown area to be less than 50 per cent, crop yield less than 40 per cent, and continued dry spell-were compulsory for declaring a mandai drought-hit which would pave the way for state intervention to save the situation by automatically postponing collection of arrears of land revenue, loans, drainage cess, special land tax, rescheduling of agricultural loans and granting of fresh crop loans.

While the old manual merely stated "significant deficiency in normal rainfall as the criterion, the new one scientifically categories the mandals into three, categories; those receiving an annual rainfall of less than 750 mm, those received 750 mm to 1000 mm, and those with more than 1000 mm rainfall. The manual stipulates that the 15 per cent deficiency will suffice to declare the first category mandal as drought-hit, because “a little deficiency in them will have more, pronounced effect”.

For the second category the deficit recommended is 20 per cent, and the third 25 per cent. Without assigning relative significance of the rainfall received in different areas depending on the type of soils, the old manual described “rainy day" as one giving 2.5 mm of rainfall.

The new manual, on the other hand, fixed 2.5 mm for black cotton soils as these types of land have more retentivity-absorbing capacity and 5 mm for red soils which allow run-off instead of absorbing. If any mandal receives lees than the specified quantum during the season, the day will be treated as forming part of dry spell.

For declaring a mandal as drought-hit, compression in cropped area by 50 per cent and above for all principal crops including paddy is being observed as the norm. The area is to be declared "affected" if it reports reduction in crop yields of 50 per cent and above in respect of major crops, and 40 per cent for high input oriented crops, groundnut, Bengal gram, hybrid sunflower.

The A V S Reddy Committee stipulates that the government should use any part of the Calamity Relief Fund for permanent works as this particular fund was constituted to deal with emergency and extraordinary situations. It also permits flow from the fund to the dove-tailed programme.

It also stipulates that one-third of a landholding should be earmarked for growing fodder and for this legislation should be enacted. The committee also recommends use of techniques available with the National Remote Sensing Agency and the Andhra Pradesh satellite research application center. Their "vegetative index" can be guidance to an impending drought.

It is estimated that the season of monsoon activity in the state will have 50 to 75 days. The state is served by both the south-west monsoon active during June to September, and the north-east monsoon active in October-December. The state receives an average rainfall 600 mm during the south-west monsoon, and 200 mm out of the north-east monsoon.

In 1997 while the state was to receive 441 mm of normal rainfall by August end, it could get only 275 mm. Kharif operations have been limited to 50.34 lakh hectares compared to the normal area of 81.67 lakh hectares. The situation in Mahabubnagar and Prakasam districts was alarming with migration of agriculture labour, lack of fodder resulting in the distress sale of cattle and general fall in the purchasing power of the people.

Conclusion

If we were to consider the governmental concern, generosity and the prot­ness that attends on any calamity in a region other than in Telangana, the case of Telangana would be obvious. For instance, in the summer of 1997 widespread shortage 01 power and low voltage in Telangana burnt out hundreds motors of agricultural pump sets and crops withered away. Unable to bear the losses caused by crops least a couple of farmers committed suicide. Farmers became violent, attacked AP State Electricity Board staff, and even raided neighboring villages to get their share of power. All that the government did in the face of this tragedy was to say that the farmers were being instigated by naxalites. And yet when farmers in East Godavari protesting against increased water and power tariffs were caned by the police and one died, there was such a political uproar that not only the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu apologized for the police action but gave a huge compensation to the farmers who suffered at the hands of the police.

Similarly, in the name of mitigating cyclones and the havoc wreaked by them, hundreds of crores of rupees have been spent in the coastal areas; international funding agencies help was taken, the Central government funds used and volun­tary agencies encouraged to work in the area. While admittedly severe cyclone devastates huge pockets, the damage wreaked by drought, the suffering caused to the people the dislocation suffered by them, and the setback they face is no less than the victims of cyclones. The tragedy of the drought victims is even more horrifying because they are the poorest of the poor; the nature's vagary makes them poorer. Yet neither the government, nor any NGO, nor the generosity of an international donor has reached them with help other than token help. In fact, an allegation that has gained widespread currency and credibility, given the history of in jus tic I meted out to Telangana, is that the government has held back drought relief programmes for mitigating the people's suffering because it wanted to con­serve the funds under the centrally-funded Calamity Relief fund to meet emer­gency needs should a cyclone hit the coastal areas during the north-east monsoon from October to December.

It is high time that the government gave serious thought to fight the drought conditions in Telangana. Long-term measures need to be taken to create irrigation potential, improve the region's ecology, and harness the scanty rainfall. The drought of Telangana is as much a handiwork of nature as of the government’s callous. neglect for over four decades. Nature has been generous to Telangana, endowing it with two major rivers, many lakes and rich groundwater resources. Not so the succession of governments headed by politicians from coastal Andhra, and run by bureaucrats from coastal Andhra. For them, Telangana has become a colony - to be used, exploited, and kept under-developed to serve their needs.

The Demand for a Separate State

TELANGANA MOVEMENT
The Demand for a Separate State
- K. Jayashankar*
A Historical Perspective
The people of Telangana are once again restive, reiterating their demand for a separate state.
The demand of the people of this region for a separate state is not a new development. It was
voiced much before the formation of Andhra Pradesh and continues to be raised even thereafter.
The reason for the opposition of people of Telangana to join Visalandhra (metamorphosed to
Andhra Pradesh) was fear of neglect and injustice in the enlarged state and the reason for their
refusal to continue in the present state is the actual experience of becoming victims of neglect
and injustice.
The States Reorganization Commission (SRC) set up by the government of India in early 50s to
examine the question of reorganization of states of the country was, in fact, not in favour of
merging the Telangana region with the then Andhra state. After a very careful examination of
the issues involved the SRC recommended:
“... It will be in the interest of Andhra as well as Telangana if, for the
present, the Telangana area is constituted into a separate state which may be
known as the Hyderabad state, with provision for its unification with Andhra
after the general elections likely to be held in or about 1961, if by two-thirds
majority the legislature of the residuary Hyderabad state expresses itself in
favour of such unification”. (SRC Report: Para 386)
The commission further recommended:
“Andhra and Telangana have common interests and we hope these interests
will tend to bring the people closer to each other. If, however, our hopes for
the development of the environment and conditions congenial to the
unification of the areas do not materialize and if public sentiment in
Telangana crystallizes itself against the unification of the two states,
Telangana will have to continue as a separate unit”. (SRC Report: Para
388)
The Commission came to this conclusion after a dispassionate assessment of feelings of the
people of Telangana and the fears entertained by them. Elaborating the reasons for
recommending statehood for the Telangana region the Commission observed:
“One of the principal causes of opposition to Visalandhra also seems to be
the apprehensions felt by the educationally backward people of Telangana
that they may be swamped and exploited by the more advanced people of the
Coastal areas...The real fear of the people of Telangana is that if they join
Andhra they will be unequally placed in relation to the people of Andhra and
in this partnership the major partner will derive all the advantages
immediately while Telangana itself may be converted into a colony by the
enterprising Andhras”. (SRC Report: para 378)Further, the SRC cautioned the nation against the dangers involved in reorganizing the Indian
states solely on linguistic considerations. One of the rational criteria recommended by the
Commission, while reorganizing the states, was:
“…to reject the theory of ‘one language one state’ which is neither justified
on grounds of linguistic homogeneity, because there can be more than one
state speaking the same language without offending the linguistic principle,
nor practicable, since different language groups, including the vast Hindi
speaking population of the Indian Union, cannot always be consolidated to
form distinct linguistic units”. (SRC Report: para 163)
In addition, the Prime Minister of the time, Jawaharlal Nehru, also was not in favour of merging
Telangana with the Andhra state. He ridiculed the demand for Visalandhra as an idea bearing a
“tint of expansionist imperialism”. (Indian Express, October 17, 1953).
Yet, paradoxically, the state of Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1st November 1956 - ignoring the
wishes of people of Telangana, against a categorical recommendation of the SRC and contrary to
the views of the tallest leader of the time, Jawaharlal Nehru. It was the outcome of manipulative
politics.
The merger of Telangana with Andhra was, however, not unconditional. It was facilitated by a
number of solemn promises made and constitutional safeguards given to the people of the region
as a protective umbrella against the possible exploitation in the enlarged state. These promises
were made not once. They were made umpteen times (and were also broken umpteen times).
Nor the merger of Telangana with Andhra was considered eternal. No less a person than
Jawaharlal Nehru himself compared it with matrimonial alliance having “provision for divorce”
if the partners in the alliance cannot get on well. (Deccan Chronicle, March 6, 1956). As feared,
nothing could prevent the successive governments from exploiting this region in every spear –
economic, political, administrative, cultural and linguistic.
The Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1956, which was an assurance of fair play given to the people of
Telangana to facilitate the formation of Andhra Pradesh, was scuttled the very same day on
which the state was born, by the very same “Gentlemen” who were signatories to the agreement.
The result was a massive revolt of the people of the region in 1968-69 demanding separation of
Telangana from the state of Andhra Pradesh. It has come to be known as Jai Telangana
Movement. The governments of the time in the state and at the centre then woke up and tried
(or pretended) to undo the damage done to the region. The first step taken in that direction was
the All Party Accord of January 1969 arrived at a meeting of the leaders of all political parties in
the state convened by the then chief minister Brahmananda Reddy. But it was shelved in less
than six months time. Thereafter, a couple of packages were announced by the prime minister of
the time, Indira Gandhi, styled as Eight Point Formula and Five Point Formula. When the
modalities of giving effect to these packages were being worked out the supreme court of India
gave a historic judgement validating, what were then known as, Mulki Rules. This judgement
upheld the rule of reserving employment and educational opportunities available in Telangana
exclusively for the residents of this region. But the political elite of Andhra region did not digest
these corrective measures. The result was another agitation for a separate state, and this time for
a separate Andhra state. It is referred to as Jai Andhra Movement. The leaders of Jai Andhra
Movement demanded either scrapping all the safeguards given to the people of Telanganaincluding the judgement of supreme court of India on the validity of Mulki Rules or bifurcating
Andhra Pradesh into Andhra and Telangana states. It may not be out of place to recall that
Venkaiah Naidu and Chandrababu Naidu, among others, were in the forefront of Jai Andhra
Movement. The government of India yielded to the pressure of political might and money power
of the majority region and nullified, by an act of parliament, almost all the safeguards given to
the people of Telangana including the annulment of judgement of the highest judicial authority
of the country on Mulki Rules. As an alternative, the so-called Six Point Formula, a diluted form
of safeguards, was foisted on the people. Even this formula has been, and continues to be,
violated with impunity, robbing the people of Telangana of whatever little was left in the name
of safeguards.
All these exercises ultimately turned out to be futile as they were, at best, attempts to treat the
symptoms rather than the malady. Consequently, the exploitation of the region and its people
continued (and still continues) unabated under the patronage of political leadership irrespective
of the region it hailed from and irrespective of the party it belonged to. In this process the socalled
concept of Telugu Brotherhood has become an empty rhetoric placing the people of
Telangana in an extremely unenviable position. Deprived of their legitimate share in the fruits of
development, marginalized in the political process and administrative setup, belittled on the
cultural and linguistic fronts they are virtually reduced to the status of second-rate citizens in
their own homeland. Therefore, the demand for a separate state continues to persist.
The objective of following paragraphs is to present a comparative account of region-wise
development achieved in some of the vital sectors. The sources of data are the reports published
by the state government and other official agencies.
It is to be noted in this context that when the state of Andhra Pradesh was formed there were
only two recognized regions - Andhra and Telangana - since Rayalaseema was considered a part
of Andhra. After the Andhra Agitation of 1972 and the resultant imposition of Six Point
Formula, the state was divided into seven zones, within the framework of three regions, namely,
Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema, and Telangana, treating the capital city as a separate entity. The
rationale underlying this decision was to make the capital city equally accessible to the people
living in all parts of the state. This has the appearance of fairness, but in reality it has deprived
the people of Telangana of their legitimate right by a subtle play, which made the twin cities of
Hyderabad and Secunderabad more accessible to the people of Coastal Andhra and
Rayalaseema, and more inaccessible to the people of Telangana. It is, therefore, necessary not to
mistake the development of capital city with the development of Telangana region or any other
region for that matter.
The main factors that generally form a basis for evolving strategies of development of a region
are its geographical area and population, besides resource endowment and levels of development
already achieved. Geographically, Telangana is the largest region of the state covering 41.47%
of its total area, while Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema Cover 33.75% and 24.51%,
respectively. It is inhabited by 40.54% of the state’s population, coastal Andhra accounting for
41.69% and Rayalaseema for 17.77%. The contribution of Telangana to the state’s revenues has
all along been more than 50%. The region is literally encircled by two major rivers of south
India, Krishna and Godavari, and is traversed by a large number of tributaries of these rivers. It is
one of the largest coal producing areas of the country and is rich in forest wealth and other
natural resources. It has inherited from the much-maligned feudal regime fairly well developed assets like railway system, industrial units and the capital city. In spite of all these advantages the
region has remained backward not only because of the neglect meted out to it but also because of
the unending exploitation of its resources, natural as well as financial, for the development of
other regions of the state. The development of Telangana region has, therefore, to be assessed
keeping these basic factors in view.
The Development Scenario
A comparative picture of development that has taken place in different sectors over the last 47
years, highlighting the imbalances that still persist in the levels of development between different
regions of the state, is given hereunder:
Irrigation
One of the major grievances of the people of Telangana has all along been, and continues to be,
the raw deal meted out to the region regarding the allocation and utilization of river waters. It is,
however, not an unexpected development. It has happened as was feared at the time of merging
Telangana with Andhra. The States Reorganization Commission also noted this fact by
observing:
“When plans for future development are taken into account, Telangana fears
that the claims of this area may not receive adequate consideration in
Vishalandhra. The Nandikonda and Kushtapuram (Godavari) projects are,
for example, among the most important which Telangana or country as a
whole has undertaken. Irrigation in the coastal deltas of these two great rivers
is, however, also being planned. Telangana, therefore, does not wish to loose
its present independent rights in relation to the utilization of the waters of the
Krishna and the Godavari”. (SRC Report: Para 377)
Telangana is encircled by two major rivers of south India i.e., Krishna and Godavari. Within the
state of Andhra Pradesh, 68.5% of catchment area of river Krishna and 69% of catchment area of
river Godavari are in the Telangana region. In addition, most of the tributaries of these rivers
traverse its length and breadth. If waters of these rivers flowing through the region are utilized,
almost every acre of cultivable land available in Telangana could be provided with assured
irrigation facilities and every village could be provided with assured drinking water facilities.
But Telangana has been denied its rightful share in the river waters by the successive
governments over the last four and a half decades, irrespective of the political parties and leaders
in power.
River Krishna
While determining the share of waters of river Krishna among the three riparian states i.e.,
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the Bachawat Tribunal allocated 811 TMC ft. of
water to Andhra Pradesh. The allocation of water among different regions of the state has,
however, been the prerogative of the state government. If catchment area is taken as the principal
criterion for allocation of waters between different regions of the state, as is normally done
between different states of the country, Telangana should get 68.5% of the 811 TMC ft. If
cultivable area, rainfall, subsoil levels of water, backwardness, etc., also are taken into account
Telangana region would be entitled to not less than 70% of the total quantum of water allocated
to the state. But the allocation made for the projects in the Telangana region was only around
32%. If the actual utilization of water is taken into account it is only about 10 to 11%. It has
happened so because:
i. Prakasam Barrage which is meant exclusively for the benefit of Coastal Andhra is
getting two times more water than what is legally allocated to it. Therefore, it is able
to irrigate more than 12 lakh acres of land for the first crop and more than half of it
for the second crop – all water-intensive wet crops.
ii. Nagarjuna Sagar meant to benefit Andhra and Telangana regions equally is modified
in such a way that 75% of the benefit is accruing to Coastal Andhra reducing the
share of Telangana region to just 25%. Consequently, an area of more than 15 lakh
acres is getting irrigation facilities for the first crop and more than half of it for the
second crop in the coastal districts – again all water-intensive wet crops. But the
Telangana area gets this facility hardly for 5 lakh acres. Further, settlers migrating
from the Andhra area own nearly half of these lands.
iii. Srisailam Project which was originally a power project is now converted into a multipurpose
project. Yet the Telangana region does not get even a single drop of water
from it. It has only a right bank canal to facilitate irrigation in the Rayalaseema
region. Further, its capacity has been increased by 3 times when compared to what
was originally contemplated. It has now three sluices - one for the Srisailam Right
Branch Canal, one for the Telugu Ganga Project and the other styled as Escape
Channel. Except for the Srisailam Right Bank Canal there is no clearance for the
other two from the government of India. This project has the potential to irrigate 6 to
7 lakh acres of land in the Rayalaseema region and Nellore district besides providing
drinking water to Chennai city. But the left bank canal meant for the benefit of
Telangana region has been abandoned. The canal which is now styled as the Srisailam
Left Bank Canal (SLBC) and rechristened as Alimineti Madhava Reddy Project is a
missnomer. It is neither on the left bank of Srisailam Project nor does it draw water
from the Srisailam Reservoir. It is, infact, a lift irrigation project on the Nagarjuna
Sagar dam. When completed it can irrigate hardly about 1.5 lakh acres. Further it is
also contemplated to draw water from this canal to meet the drinking water
requirements of capital city. If it happens the SLBC will become another Singur. It
should be remembered that Singur project was built to meet primarily the irrigation
needs of Medak and Nizamabad districts. But it is now solely used for meeting the
requirements of capital city leaving the farmers of Medak and Nizamabad in a lurch.
iv. Jurala Project which is the first project on river Krishna meant for Telangana, is the
smallest of all the projects built on this river. The Bachawat Tribunal allocated just
17.5 TMC ft. water for this project, and the state government reduced its storage
capacity to 11 TMC ft. But the actual utilization so far has not been more than 2
TMC ft. This is the fate of the first project on river Krishna – the only project meant
exclusively for Telangana - from which the state is drawing 811 TMC ft. of assured
water and 200 to 300 TMC ft. of surplus water.
v. Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme, taken up before the formation of Andhra Pradesh by
the then government of Hyderabad was envisaged to provide irrigation facilities to
87500 acres in Mahabubnagar district of Telangana region. The Bachawat Tribunal
also allocated 15.90 TMC ft. of water for this project. This water has to pass through
a canal in Raichur district of Karnataka State. After the formation of Andhra Pradesh
some landlords of Kurnool district have not been allowing this water to reach
Mahabubnagar. They break the gates of the reservoir and divert water to their fields.
Some of these landlords belong to the ruling party and one of them is also a member of the state assembly. As a result, the land which was to be irrigated by this facility
has become more or less a desert. All this is happening with the connivance of
people in authority.
Consequently, out of nearly 35 lakh acres being irrigated under the projects built on river
Krishna, hardly 5 lakh acres are benefited in the Telangana region and rest in the other regions.
While this is the scenario regarding the region-wise utilisation of Krishna waters the powers that
be are contemplating to construct Pulichintala on the down stream of Nagarjuna Sagar to further
augment irrigation facilities in the already developed Krishna delta. This project will immensely
benefit the coastal districts while the Telangana will not get even a drop of water out of it. Not
only that, more than 30,000 acres of developed ayacut in the Nalgonda district of Telangana
region will be submerged.
It is at this stage that the question of allocation of Krishna waters between three riparian states
i.e., Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh is coming up for review. It is also the stage to
review the allocation and utilization of Krishna waters among three regions within the state of
Andhra Pradesh. If the injustices done in the past are not rectified by reallocating water, it will
inflict immense damage especially on the Telangana region which would be beyond rectification
in future. Therefore, the people of Telangana are insisting that before going to the new tribunal
the state should sort out the issues involving allocation of waters between different regions of the
state. But, the state government argues that we should not take up the problem of internal
allocation at this stage. First we should protect the interest of the state and sort out inter-regional
problems later. This argument hardly carries any conviction with anybody not only in the
Telangana region but also in the Rayalaseema region. Because of the flouting of moral and legal
commitments made in the past and discriminatory policies followed all through the past 47 years,
the people of the region cannot take these promises seriously. When the government says
“protecting the interest of the state” it actually means “protecting the interest of Coastal Andhra”
alone. It has been the sad and bitter experience of the people of this region right from day one of
the formation of the state.
River Godavari
No debate on utilization of river waters in Andhra Pradesh can be complete and comprehensive
unless the position regarding the utilization of Godavari waters also is examined. The Bachawat
Tribunal allocated 1480 TMC ft. of water to Andhra Pradesh, but half of this water is yet to be
utilized. The Coastal Andhra region has been the major beneficiary of the water already utilized.
Under the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage in Dhawaleswaram more than 12 lakh acres of land is
getting irrigation facilities with nearly half of it growing more than one crop. But in the
Telangana region, the area irrigated with the Godavari waters is not even 5 lakh acres. Therefore,
the people of this region demand that the remaining water still available in Godavari should be
utilized mostly, if not solely, for the benefit of Telangana region. The government has been
making only promises, day in and day out on this score, but nothing has been done so far and is
not likely to be done in near future. The construction of much publicised Devadula Project for
which foundation stone was laid in the midst of election campaign in June 2001, and promised to
be completed by 2003 by the Chief Minister himself, is yet to commence. It is really not
understandable as to how a project proposed to irrigate 5 lakh acres could be completed in less
than 3 years, when even after 40 long years the Sriramsagar Project is yet to be completed and at present is able to irrigate just 4 lakh acres. It is one of the umpteen number of empty promises
made to the people of Telangana.
The other two major projects proposed on river Godavari are Ichampally and Polavaram.
Ichampally is meant for Telangana and Polavaram for Coastal Andhra. Prima-facie it appears to
be fair. But the facts are different. The irrigation potential of Polavaram Project would be 6 to 7
times more than the irrigation potential of Ichampally. Further, Ichampally is going to be
primarily a power project because of the inter-state issues involved. If that is going to happen,
Ichampally would ultimately become a balancing reservoir to ensure a perennial flow of water
into Polavaram first and Dawaleswaram next. Consequently Telangana would be permanently
doomed. The other projects that are talked about are Sri Ram Sagar Project Stage II, Sri Ram
Sagar Flood Flow Canal and barrages at Yellampalli and Dummagudem. Even if they are
completed –which is a big if- all of them put together will not have a capacity to utilize more
than 50 TMC ft. of water.
Added to this, there is a proposal to interlink all major rivers of the country to form a national
water grid. It is claimed that it would augment the flow of water in river Godavari which in turn
could be flown into river Krishna to meet the requirements of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema,
besides further extending it down south into Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Kelara. This is a
fantastic proposition. It was infact rejected twice in the past. When the government has failed to
fully utilize even the water still available in Godavari which is to the tune of more than 700 TMC
ft. what does it proposes to do with a further inflow, which in any case is imaginary? The real
intention of the ruling sections is to divert the untapped water of river Godavari to Coastal
Andhra and Rayalaseema regions depriving the Telangana regions of its due share in Godavari
waters as well.
Regional Disparities
Because of the factors enumerated above the benefit of irrigation through the canal system under
major irrigation projects is accruing substantially, i.e. 74.25%, to the Coastal Andhra region.
While the share of Telangana is just 18.20%, the remaining 7.55% goes to the Rayalaseema
region. Consequently, the farmers in Telangana depend mostly on well irrigation which is
becoming prohibitively expensive day by day. Table I gives more details in this regard.
TABLE I
Area Irrigated by Sources, Region-wise, 2000-2001
(In Hectares)
S.No. Region Canals Tanks Tube Wells Other Other Area Irrigated Gross Area
Wells Sources
Total
more than once Irrigated
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 Costal 1,224,559 401,708 341,209 131,002 123,366 2,221,844 674,359 2,896,203
Andhra (74.25) (55.27) (32.00) (14.75) (62.72) (49.07) (49.16) (48.95)
2 Rayalseema 124,567 55,609 261,739 168,077 13,515 623,507 154,846 778,353
(7.55) (7.65) (24.55) (18.93) (6.87) (13.77) (11.29) (13.16)
3 Telangana 300,261 269,492 463,390 588,884 59,811 1,682,378 542,528 2,241,591
(18.20) (37.08) (43.46) (66.32) (30.41) (37.16) (39.55) (37.89)
Andhra 1,649,387 726,809 1,066,338 887,963 196,692 4,527,729 1,371,733 5,916,147
Pradesh (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00)
Note : 1. One hectare equals to 2.47 acres.
2. Figures shown in brackets are percentages of total area irrigated in the State by the sources concerned.
Source: Bureau of Economics and Statistics, Andhra Pradesh
While this is the scenario with regard to canal irrigation, the situation regarding the other two
sources of irrigation i.e., tanks, as also wells is equally bad.
Tank Irrigation
At the time of formation of Andhra Pradesh the area irrigated under tanks in the Telangana
region was more than 11 lakh acres. During the last 47 years the state government must have
spent several thousands of crores of rupees for the maintenance and development of minor
irrigation facilities. Therefore, the area under Tank Irrigation should have substantially increased.
But it is going down steeply year after year and now stands at hardly 6.5 lakh acres. Details
regarding the pace of this decline are given in Table II.

TABLE II
Area under Tank Irrigation in Telangana
Decline between 1956 & 2001
(Area in Hectares)
Area irrigated by % increase (+) or
S.No. Year decrease (-) from
tanks 1956
1 2 3 4
1 1956 447,236
2 1961 411,494 - 07.10
3 1971 448,368 + 00.25
4 1981 349,730 - 21.80
5 1991 392,212 - 12.30
6 1997 284,919 - 36.30
7 1998 107,715 - 75.92
8 2001 269,492 - 39.74
Note: One hectare equals to 2.47 acres.
Source: Statistical Abstracts of A.P. for the years concerned
published by the Bureau of Economics and Statistics, A.P.
It has happened so because silt accumulated in the tanks is not removed, breached tanks are not
repaired and some of the tanks that were operational have been deliberately damaged to promote
urbanisation in and around major towns and cities especially the capital city of Hyderabad. In
this process small and marginal farmers became helpless, abandoned cultivation and sold their
lands in distress, at a throw away price, to the rich migrants from Coastal Andhra. These lands
became a goldmine for the migrant settlers to do real estate business. Development of areas in
the name of Film City, Hi-Tech City, East City and proposed International Airport in these lands
has thrown the local people not only out of their profession but also out of their homes.
Well Irrigation
In this situation the farmers of Telangana are left with only one alternative i.e., well irrigation.
But the well irrigation has many disadvantages as compared to canal irrigation. canal irrigation is
ensured by the government by spending on construction of dams, digging of canals and
supplying water to the fields every season. The entire cost is borne by the government i.e.,
spending tax-payers money. In return the farmer pays about 200 to 250 rupees per acre per
annum as water charges. It is extremely negligible when compared to the huge amounts spent by
the government. This practice is necessary to support agriculture sector in any region or in any
state for that matter. Therefore, no one will grudge this. But the same facility is not extended to a
majority of farmers in Telangana who depend mostly on well irrigation. The farmer will have to
pay from his pocket for sinking well and for buying a pump-set. In addition he has to pay power
tariff which is increased every year. He has to also incur huge expenses on getting the water pumps repaired as they are frequently damaged because of erratic fluctuations in voltage. As a
result, a farmer in the Telangana region depending on well irrigation is compelled to spend 2 to 3
thousand rupees per acre per annum in addition to capital investment on sinking well and
installing pump-set. Consequently, most of the farmers in Coastal Andhra get water at a heavily
subsidised rate of 200 to 250 rupees per acre per annum besides not spending anything on the
infrastructure. On the other hand, most of the Telangana farmers spend huge amounts ranging
from 2000 to 3000 rupees per acre per annum besides investing heavily on infrastructure.
How can this unjust disparity be justified? It is because of this reason that the farmers of
Telangana region are demanding free supply of electricity for agricultural operations at least
until they are provided with the facility of canal irrigation. It is not a question of charity. It is a
question of establishing parity between different regions of the state with regard to the cost of
getting water for irrigation.
The ongoing debate on irrigation facilities, especially on utilisation of river waters in Andhra
Pradesh has, therefore, many dimensions – economic, political, moral, legal and also emotional.
It has the potential to determine the future of the state itself.
Education
At the time of formation of Andhra Pradesh it was assured that disparities in the levels of
development in different regions of the state, including the field of education, would be removed
in five to ten years time. But even after 47 years the literacy rate in Telangana continues to be
lowest in the state. The region-wise details are given in Table III.
TABLE III
Literacy Rates (2001 Census)
TABLE III
Literacy Rates (2001 Census)
S.No. Region Literacy Rate
Persons Males Females
1 2 3 4 5
1 Coastal Andhra 63.58 71.38 55.69
2 Rayalseema 60.53 72.68 48.04
3 Telangana 58.77 69.49 47.77
Andhra Pradesh 61.11 70.85 51.17
Notes: 1. Literates exclude children in the age group 0-6 years who were by definition
treated as illiterate in the Census of India, 2001
2. Literacy rate is the percentage of literates to population aged 7 years and above.
Sources: 1. Census of India, 2001
2. Bureau of Economics & Statistics, AP.
Comparative Position: National Average: 65.38, A.P. Average: 61.11, Ranking of
Telangana vis-à-vis 35 states and Union Territories: 32

This has happened because of uneven distribution of educational facilities in different regions of
the state. A region-wise breakup of facilities available at the crucial levels of education is given
here under. The important point to be kept in view in this regard is the percentage of population
spread over different regions of the state, i.e. Coastal Andhra 41.69%, Rayalaseema 17.77% and
Telangana 40.54%. This is necessary to assess the adequacy or otherwise of the facilities of
education created vis-à-vis the size of population and the levels of literacy achieved.
Primary Education
The data chosen for this analysis pertains to the year 2001- the latest made available by the
government. During this period there were 60,60,394 students in the state enrolled in the
primary schools run by the government, local bodies and private managements (aided and
unaided). The region-wise breakup is: Coastal Andhra 27,57,269 (45.50%), Rayalaseema
13,02,673 (21.49%), Telangana 20,00,452 (33.01%). It should be realized that unaided primary
schools do not reflect endeavor of the government, and if such institutions were not taken into
account the position would be much worse in Telangana. More details are furnished in Table IV.

TABLE IV
Primary Education, Region-wise
(As on 30.09.2000)
Sl.No Region/Management No.of schools Enrolment Teachers
Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Men Women Total
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1 Coastal Andhra
a. Government & 23,230 94 23,324 1,181,394 1,192,478 2,373,872 35,547 20,005 55,552
Local bodies (44.47) (25.13) (44.33) (43.20) (43.88) (43.54) (44.70) (52.22) (47.14)
b. Aided 1,642 10 1,652 139,016 142,559 281,575 2,341 2,773 5,114
(83.06) (66.67) (82.93) (79.06) (79.63) (79.35) (77.85) (76.20) (76.95)
c. Un-aided 527 1 528 57,639 44,183 101,822 1,608 2,040 3,648
(40.88) (16.67) (40.77) (40.04) (40.56) (40.27) (41.74) (39.17) (40.26)
Total 25,399 105 25,504 1,378,049 1,379,220 2,757,269 39,496 24,818 64,314
(45.76) (26.58) (45.62) (45.11) (45.89) (45.50) (45.72) (52.63) (48.16)
2 Rayalaseema
a. Government & 11,887 57 11,944 595,699 595,584 1,191,283 16,635 8,609 25,244
Local bodies (22.75) (15.24) (22.70) (21.78) (21.91) (21.85) (20.92) (22.47) (21.42)
b. Aided 207 2 209 22,757 23,836 46,593 417 460 877
(10.47) (13.33) (10.49) (12.94) (13.31) (13.13) (13.87) (12.64) (13.20)
c. Un-aided 325 1 326 37,672 27,125 64,797 918 1,395 2,313
(25.21) (16.67) (25.17) (26.17) (24.90) (25.62) (23.83) (26.79) (25.53)
Total 12,419 60 12,479 656,128 646,545 1,302,673 17,970 10,464 28,434
(22.37) (15.19) (22.32) (21.48) (21.51) (21.49) (20.80) (22.19) (21.29)
3 Telangana
a. Government & 17,123 223 17,346 957,849 929,654 1,887,503 27,350 9,694 37,044
Local bodies (32.78) (59.63) (32.97) (35.02) (34.21) (34.62) (34.39) (25.31) (31.44)
b. Aided 128 3 131 14,067 12,626 26,693 249 406 655
(6.47) (20.00) (6.58) (8.00) (7.05) (7.52) (8.28) (11.16) (9.86)
c. Un-aided 437 4 441 48,631 37,625 86,256 1,326 1,773 3,099
(33.90) (66.67) (34.05) (33.79) (34.54) (34.11) (34.42) (34.04) (34.21)
Total 17,688 230 17,918 1,020,547 979,905 2,000,452 28,925 11,873 40,798
(31.87) (58.23) (32.05) (33.41) (32.60) (33.01) (33.48) (25.18) (30.55)
5 Andhra Pradesh
a. Government & 52,240 374 52,614 2,734,942 2,717,716 5,452,658 79,532 38,308 117,840
Local bodies (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00)
b. Aided 1,977 15 1,992 175,840 179,021 354,861 3,007 3,639 6,646
(100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00)
c. Un-aided 1,289 6 1,295 143,942 108,933 252,875 3,852 5,208 9,060
(100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00)
Total 55,506 395 55,901 3,054,724 3,005,670 6,060,394 86,391 47,155 133,546
(100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00)
Note: Figures shown in brackets are percentages of totals of the state under the heads concerned
Source : 1. Bureau of Economics & Statistics, A.P.
2. Directorate of School Education, A.P.
Collegiate Education
Regarding the facilities available for collegiate education (degree colleges) the position is more
or less the same. If the salary component paid to the teachers is taken as the basis for assessing
the spread of these facilities between different regions of the state, Telangana’s share in the total
expenditure incurred by the state government would be 37.85% in respect of government
colleges and 21.59% in respect of aided colleges. Further details can be seen in Table V.
TABLE V
Collegiate Education - Degree Colleges (2001)
Sl
No.
Region/
Management
No. of
Colleges Enrolment Teachers
Boys Girls Total Men Women Total
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Coastal Andhra
(Andhra & Nagarjuna
University Areas)
a. Government 57 16483 13794 30277 946 301 1247
(32.39) (22.07) (25.10) (23.36) (28.48) (38.64) (30.41)
b. Private aided 93 80777 44358 125135 3447 1255 4702
(51.38) (57.37) (53.00) (55.74) (63.14) (53.91) (60.38)
c. Private unaided 236 42095 32110 74205 3004 1089 4093
(36.80) (33.95) (34.94) (34.37) (36.75) (32.28) (35.44)
Total 386 139355 90262 229617 7397 2645 10042
1
(38.68) (41.05) (39.15) (40.29) (43.63) (40.80) (42.85)
Rayalaseema
(S.V. and S.K.D. University
Areas)
a. Government 54 25103 15262 40365 1078 232 1310
(30.68) (33.61) (27.78) (31.14) (32.45) (29.78) (31.94)
b. Private aided 33 28455 13181 41636 1119 285 1404
(18.23) (20.21) (15.74) (18.54) (20.50) (12.24) (18.03)
c. Private unaided 118 17833 9406 27239 1527 422 1949
(18.41) (14.38) (10.23) (12.62) (18.68) (12.51) (16.88)
Total 205 71391 37849 109240 3724 939 4663
2
(20.54) (21.03) (16.42) (19.16) (21.96) (14.50) (19.89)
Telangana
(Osmania & Kakatiya
University Areas)
a. Government 65 33103 25890 58993 1298 246 1544
(36.93) (44.32) (47.12) (45.50) (39.07) (31.58) (37.85)
b. Private aided 55 31573 26176 57749 893 788 1681
(30.38) (22.42) (31.26) (25.72) (16.36) (33.85) (21.59)
c. Private unaided 287 64058 50388 114446 3644 1863 5507
(44.77) (51.67) (54.83) (53.01) (44.57) (55.21) (47.68)
Total 407 128734 102454 231188 5835 2897 8732
3
(40.78) (37.92) (44.43) (40.55) (34.41) (44.70) (37.26)
Andhra Pradesh
a. Government 176 74689 54946 129635 3322 779 4101
b. Private aided 181 140805 83715 224520 5459 2328 7787
c. Private unaided 641 123986 91904 215890 8175 3374 11548
Total 998 339480 230565 570045 16956 6481 23436

Note: 1. Figures furnished by the government are university-wise. They, however, conform to the figures
relating to respective regions with a little overlap in respect of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema areas.
2. Figures shown in brackets are percentages of totals of the state under the heads concerned.
Sources: 1. Commissionerate of Collegiate Education, A.P.
2. Directorate of Economics and Statistics, A.P.
Private colleges getting grant-in-aid from the government are playing a crucial and dominant role
in the realm of collegiate education in the state. The state government has been admitting year
after year several private colleges into grant-in-aid. The details regarding the admission of
private colleges into grant-in-aid between 1985 and 2000 are given in Table VI.
TABLE VI
Admission of Private Degree Colleges to Grant-in-Aid
(Between 1985 and 2000)
Sl.
No Region No. of Colleges No. of Sections No. of Posts
1 2 3 4 5
1 Coastal Andhra 96 98 523
(60.38) (49.49) (42.25)
2 Rayalaseema 32 61 511
(20.13) (30.81) (41.28)
3 Telangana 31 39 204
(19.50) (19.70) (16.48)
159 198 1238
Andhra Pradesh
(100.00) (100.00) (100.00)
Note: Figures given in brackets are percentages of totals of the state under the heads concerned
Source: Department of Higher Education, A.P.
As could be seen the share of Telangana continues to be lowest, i.e. less than 20% in the total
quantum of grant-in-aid. All this is happening inspite of the claim of the government that it is
trying to remove disparities and do justice to Telangana.
Universities
It is very often argued that all the state-level and national-level universities located in the capital
city belong to the Telangana region. If it were to be so what benefit this region has derived from
their location in Hyderabad? Atleast what percent of staff recruited by these universities belongs
to Telangana? It is not even 10%. Further, some of the state-level and national-level universities
are located in the other regions of the state as well, but none in Telangana districts. The details
are as under:
There are six universities, two in each of the three regions, with their jurisdiction restricted to the
regions concerned. The Osmania University, however stands on a different footing because of
its location in the capital city and also for historical reasons. The imposition of Six Point
Formula has, in a way, nullified its regional character.
In addition to the six universities with regional jurisdiction there are seven more universities with
their jurisdiction over the entire state. None of these universities is located in Telangana
districts. Of these seven universities, the University of Health Sciences is located in Coastal
Andhra, the Women’s University and University of Dravidian Languages are situated in the
Rayalaseema region. The other four universities, i.e. Agricultural University, Technological
University, Open University and Telugu University are in the capital city. Agricultural and
Technological Universities have campuses and colleges in the Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema
regions as well, but no such campus or college exists in Telangana districts.
It may be recalled that the Technological University was actually started in Warangal but was
subsequently shifted to Hyderabad under the pretext of locating all state-level universities in the
capital city. Similarly, the Open University was orginally launched at Nagarjuna Sagar in
Nalgonda district but was later shifted to Hyderabad again under the pretext of locating this
state-level university in the capital city. There are two more institutions of higher learning,
deemed to be universities namely the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences and Sri
Venkateshwara Institute of Medical Sciences. The former is in the capital city and the latter is at
Tirupati in the Rayalaseema region. In addition, a Sanskrit University funded by the government
of India and Satya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, a deemed university in private sector, also
are in the Rayalaseema region.
There are three more institutions in the capital city that are fully funded by the University Grants
Commission. They are: The Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, The University
of Hyderabad and Urdu University. The University of Hyderabad established in the year 1975 is
an offshoot of the Six Point Formula. The primary objective of establishing this university in
Hyderabad was to augment the facilities of university education to compensate, atleast partially,
the loss sustained by the Telangana region under Six Point Formula. But no one, neither in the
government nor in the university, seems to remember this fact of history and thereby the very
purpose of starting this university has been defeated. Today the University of Hyderabad is as
good -or as bad- as any other central university in the country in so far as giving preferential
treatment to any particular region in matters of admission of student and recruitment of staff is
concerned. Consequently, out of 21 universities and university-level institutions funded either
by the state government or the federal government or self-financed, 3 are located in Coastal
Andhra districts, 7 in Rayalaseem districts, 10 in the capital city and only 1 in Telangana
districts.
Location of a university in a district place facilitates and contributes to the development of that
area. For instance, the University of Health Sciences has considerably improved the medical
facilities in and around Vijayawada city, besides providing employment opportunities to the
locals. Similarly the University of Dravidian Languages has changed the very face of Kuppam
village in the Rayalaseema region. No one grudges this. But the question is as to why the
Telangana districts are deprived of such facilities. When Technological University and Open should have gone to the job seekers from Telangana. But the total number of jobs now
occupied by them is less than 3 lakhs.
- There are more than 5,000 employees in the state’s secretariat. Out of them not even 10%
belong to the Telangana region.
- There are more than 130 posts of heads of departments. Out of them only 7 or 8 are held by
the officers belonging to the Telangana region.
- There are 23 district collectors. One rarely finds an officer from the Telangana cadres
holding that position.
- The state government issued orders - the much publicized G.O. 610 - as back as in the year
1985 to remove all the non-locals appointed in the vacancies meant for the youth of
Telangana and to appoint only Telangana locals against all resultant vacancies. Besides not
implementing these orders further recruitment of non-locals in the Telangana region is
going on.
Finances:
One of the doubts expressed about Telangana, if it is made a separate state, is regarding its
financial viability. The fact is that the financial viability of state of Andhra Pradesh itself is
dependent on the contribution of Telangana to the revenues of the state. It might sound
incredible to those who entertain doubts about the viability of Telangana as a separate state. It is,
therefore, necessary to know the region-wise contribution to the state’s exchequer under major
heads of revenue. It is also necessary to have a look at the conditions prevailing at the time of
formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1956. For this purpose one has to once again look at the report
of the States Reorganisation Commission which had categorically stated:
“The existing Andhra state has faced a financial problem of some magnitude
ever since it was created; and in comparison with Telangana, the existing
Andhra state has a low per capita revenue. Telangana, on the other hand, is
much less likely to be faced with financial embarrassment… Whatever the
explanation may be … the result of the unification will be to exchange some
settled sources of revenue, out of which development schemes may be
financed, for financial uncertainty similar to that with which Andhra is now
faced. Telangana claims to be progressive and from an administrative point of
view, unification, it is contended, is not likely to confer any benefit on this
area” (SRC Report: para 376)
What had happened to Telangana because of its merger with Andhra is precisely what was
predicted by the SRC. Even now the contribution of Telangana to the state’s revenues under
some major heads continues to be far higher than the contribution of other two regions. For
instance, sales tax and excise collections constitute about 43% of total revenue of the state. The
region-wise contribution is explained in Table VII.
VII
Important Sources of State's Income - Region-wise
2000 - 01
(Rs. in Lakhs)
A - Sales Tax
Sl Collectable Demand Collection Balance
No. Region
Arrear Current Arrear Current Arrear Current
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 Coastal Andhra 34,397.65 127,492.82 1,524.53 120,879.95 32,873.12 6,612.87
(20.92) (20.60) (8.80) (21.07) (22.34) (14.62)
2 Rayalaseema 9,760.68 22,366.29 151.27 18,963.38 9,609.41 3,402.91
(5.94) (3.61) (0.87) (3.31) (6.53) (7.52)
Telangana 120,295.24 469,012.24 15,657.66 433,796.29 104,637.58 35,215.95 3
(73.15) (75.79) (90.33) (75.62) (71.12) (77.86)
Andhra Pradesh 164,453.57 618,871.35 17,333.46 573,639.62 147,120.11 45,231.73
(100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00)
B - Excise Collections
Sl Collectable Demand Collection Balance
No. Region
Arrear Current Arrear Current Arrear Current
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 Coastal Andhra 1,601.76 306.23 19.96 294.22 1,581.80 -
(24.86) (24.64) (22.03) (23.90) (24.90) -
Rayalaseema 1,392.45 123.42 13.17 123.42 1,379.28 - 2
(21.61) (9.93) (14.54) (10.03) (21.71) -
Telangana 3,449.00 813.31 57.46 813.31 3,391.55 - 3
(53.53) (65.43) (63.43) (66.07) (53.39) -
Andhra Pradesh 6,443.21 1,242.96 90.59 1,230.95 6,352.63 -
(100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) (100.00) -
Note: Figures shown in brackets are percentages of total receipts of the state under the heads concerned.
Source: Bureau of Economics and Statistics, A.P.
These figures clearly show that nearly 75% of receipts under the head ‘sales tax’, the single
largest source of revenue, and more than 55% of excise collections are contributed by Telangana
to the state’s exchequer.
The other major head of revenue consists of state’s share in central taxes and grants-in-aid. In
determining this share, backward regions of the state facilitate higher allocation by the
successive Finance Commissions. Therefore, Telangana is entitled to a higher share in these
revenues as well. Even if population, and nothing else, is taken as the criterion Telangana’s
share would be more than 40%.
It is evident that the overall contribution of Telangana to the state’s revenue will in any case be
more than 50%. But, the expenditure incurred on this region has never been more than 25% to
30%. For instance:
Major Irrigation
Expenditure incurred in different regions on construction and maintenance of major irrigation
projects should be normally in proportion to the potential created in the respective regions.
Telangana’s share on this score is just 18.20% (by the end of 2001).
Education
Revenue expenditure on education consists mostly of salary component paid to the staff working
in government institutions and private aided institutions. The share of Telangana as a percent of
the total expenditure of the state on salaries of staff in educational institutions in 2001 is as
follows:
i. Primary schools (government): 31.44%
ii. Primary schools (aided): 9.86%
iii. Degree colleges (government): 37.85%
iv. Degree colleges (aided): 21.79%
These are only samples. The situation in other sectors is also more or less the same.
The state has been borrowing heavily from the World Bank and other international and national
agencies said to be for developmental activities. The quantum of loan has already exceeded
50,000 crores of rupees. But there is no transparency with regard to region-wise allocation of
these funds, atleast broadly, for the development of those regions. Even if 1/5 of these
borrowings were spent on irrigation projects most of the projects would have been completed by
now.
Demographic Variation and Colonisation
The rate of growth of population of the state during the decade 1991-2001 was significantly low
(13.86%), as compared to many other states and also the national average (21.36%). So far so
good. Where does Telangana stand in this regard? It makes an interesting -may be an
intriguing- study. During this decade, Telangana registered a growth of 17.66% against 9.88%
by Coastal Andhra and 15.19% by Rayalaseema. The rate of growth in Telangana is also higher
as compared to other south Indian states, namely, Kerala (9.42%), Tamil Nadu (11.19%) and
Karnataka (17.25%). In fact, the rate of growth of population of Telangana has all along been
higher than the rate of the other two regions during the last five decades. The details are given
in Table VIII.
It is evident that the overall contribution of Telangana to the state’s revenue will in any case be
more than 50%. But, the expenditure incurred on this region has never been more than 25% to
30%. For instance:
Major Irrigation
Expenditure incurred in different regions on construction and maintenance of major irrigation
projects should be normally in proportion to the potential created in the respective regions.
Telangana’s share on this score is just 18.20% (by the end of 2001).
Education
Revenue expenditure on education consists mostly of salary component paid to the staff working
in government institutions and private aided institutions. The share of Telangana as a percent of
the total expenditure of the state on salaries of staff in educational institutions in 2001 is as
follows:
i. Primary schools (government): 31.44%
ii. Primary schools (aided): 9.86%
iii. Degree colleges (government): 37.85%
iv. Degree colleges (aided): 21.79%
These are only samples. The situation in other sectors is also more or less the same.
The state has been borrowing heavily from the World Bank and other international and national
agencies said to be for developmental activities. The quantum of loan has already exceeded
50,000 crores of rupees. But there is no transparency with regard to region-wise allocation of
these funds, atleast broadly, for the development of those regions. Even if 1/5 of these
borrowings were spent on irrigation projects most of the projects would have been completed by
now.
Demographic Variation and Colonisation
The rate of growth of population of the state during the decade 1991-2001 was significantly low
(13.86%), as compared to many other states and also the national average (21.36%). So far so
good. Where does Telangana stand in this regard? It makes an interesting -may be an
intriguing- study. During this decade, Telangana registered a growth of 17.66% against 9.88%
by Coastal Andhra and 15.19% by Rayalaseema. The rate of growth in Telangana is also higher
as compared to other south Indian states, namely, Kerala (9.42%), Tamil Nadu (11.19%) and
Karnataka (17.25%). In fact, the rate of growth of population of Telangana has all along been
higher than the rate of the other two regions during the last five decades. The details are given
in Table VIII.that their loyalties are always with the place of their origin and not with the place that has
facilitated their growth in political field. Most of them do not like to even utter the expression
‘Telangana’.
The Capital City:
An impression is sought to be created that the development of twin cities of Hyderabad and
Secunderabad took place after they became the capital of Andhra Pradesh. It is a travesty of
truth. The fact is that the plight of erstwhile Andhra state in locating its capital could be
mitigated only because of the formation of Andhra Pradesh and giving to it, on a silver platter, an
already well developed capital of erstwhile Hyderabad state. The States Reorganization
Commission also was very clear on this issue. Listing out the arguments put forth by the
votaries of Vishalandhra the Commission observed
“This will also solve the difficult and vexing problem of finding a permanent
capital for Andhra, for the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are
very well suited to be the capital of Vishalandhra”. (SRC Report: para 371)
The development that has taken place in and around the capital city, after the formation of
Andhra Pradesh, is natural and is comparable to the development that has taken place in other
major cities of the country. It is to be realized that at the time of formation of Andhra Pradesh,
Hyderabad was the fifth largest city in the country and even now it continues to be in the same
position. On the other hand, the growth of Visakhapatnam has been faster than the growth of
Hyderabad and Secunderabad cities. People who maintain that the development of Hyderabad
and Secunderabad took place because it is a part of Andhra Pradesh seem to believe that the
development of Visakhapatnam took place inspite of it being a part of Andhra Pradesh.
Whatever be the development that has taken place, the real question is as to who are its
beneficiaries?
- The imposition of Six Point Formula has deprived the people of Telengana, among other
things, of their legitimate rights on the facilities developed in the capital city by their
forefathers over a period of four hundred years.
- The facilities available in the capital city are now more accessible to the people migrating
from Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions and more inaccessible to the people of
Telangana. In this process non-locals have become locals and the locals have become nonlocals.
- The development taking place in and around the capital city cannot be an indicator of
development of Telangana region as mostly the settlers and migrants from the other regions
of the state reap its fruits.
- Construction of flyovers, widening of roads, development of Hi-Tech cities etc., will not
address the serious problems confronting the people in the other nine districts of Telangana.
Cholera deaths in Adilabad, spread of malaria in the tribal belt, suicides by farmers in
Warangal, Karimnagar and Khammam, suicides by weavers in Karimnagar, eternal famine
conditions in Mahabubnagar, flurosis in Nalgonda, fall of ayacut under Nizamsagar,
pollution in Ranga Reddy and Medak and so on need to be attended to on a priority basis.
But they never get the attention they deserve.
- The film industry that has flourished in the capital city because of innumerable concessions
given to it in terms of allocation of land, water, electricity etc., depriving the common man
of Telangana of these facilities, is solely controlled by the Andhra migrants.
- The film industry monopolized by the Andhras does not allow Telangana talent to flourish
and the industry also indulges in a sustained game of making fun of linguistics and cultural
variations of this region.
- The near monopoly control enjoyed by the Andhra settlers on real estate transactions and
land speculation in and around Hyderabad and Secunderabad has already spread to a radius
of nearly 100 kilo meters around the capital city resulting in the displacement of thousands
of poor farmers and farm workers of the local areas.
- The identity of Telangana - its history, culture, language, polity etc.- is fast getting eroded
because of the Andhra onslaughts. Examples: erecting at important places the statues of
only Andhra leaders like N.T. Rama Rao, Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, Damodaram
Sanjeevaiah, Puchalapalli Sundaraiah including those who never had anything to do with
Hyderabad or Telangana, or even Andhra Pradesh for that matter, like Tanguturi Prakasam,
Potti Sri Ramulu, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Tripuraneni Ramaswamy Chowdary, Raghupati
Venkataratnam Naidu etc; re-christening places and institutions as Sanjeeva Reddy Nagar,
Vengal Rao Nagar, Potti Sri Ramulu Nagar, Sanjeevaiah Park, Brahmananda Reddy Park,
Sundaraiah Park, NTR stadium NTR. Ghat, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy Sagar, Potti Sri
Ramulu Telugu University, N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Kaleshwar Rao Bhavan;
naming structures after Balayogi, Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy and so on. The ruling classes
totally ignore the Telangana stalwarts like K. V. Ranga Reddy, Dasarathi Krishnamacharya,
Vattikota Alwar Swamy, Komuram Bhim, Ravi Narayana Reddy, Shoebulla Khan,
Baddam Yella Reddy, Arutla Kamala Devi, Kaloji Narayan Rao and a host of others. Even
Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, who was primarily responsible for the merger of Telangana with
Andhra state, was also forgotten for a long time. The ongoing debate on Telangana seems
to have influenced the state government to erect his statue recently in the city - 35 years
after his death. But the place chosen for that is not commensurate with the stature of
Burgula and his contribution to the state.
SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The demand for a separate state of Telangana is naturally raising a number of questions. Some
are raised out of ignorance, some out of bias and some out of genuine concern for maintaining
status quo. In any case these questions need to be answered. An attempt is made here:
Why the issue of separate Telangana is being raised once again?
The demand of the people of Telangana for a separate state is not a new development. It was
voiced much before the formation of Andhra Pradesh and continues to be raised even thereafter.
The reason for the resistance of people of Telangana to join Visalandhra was fear of exploitation
in the enlarged state and the reason for their reluctance to continue in the present state is the
actual experience of being exploited.

Is it not a bogey raised, off and on, by the disgruntled politicians?
If it were to be so, how could the demand sustain itself for nearly five decades? Opportunistic
elements do infiltrate in to any movement of the people. But such aberrations cannot under-mine,
every time, the genuine aspirations of the people. When formulations ranging from the extreme
left (PWG) to the extreme right (BJP) of the political spectrum support - or claim to support - the
demand for a separate state, in some form or the other, does it not reflect popular urge of the
people? Can it be brushed aside for ever? What about the voice being constantly raised by the
intelligentsia and practitioners of learned professions who do not have any vested interest in
practical politics? Is it of no consequence? Can it be ignored just like that?
Is there no alternative to the demand for a separate state?
All possible alternatives have already been experimented with – The Gentlemen’s Agreement,
The All Party Accord, The Eight Point Formula, The Five Point Formula, The Six Point Formula
and what not? Were they not experiments to safeguard the interests of Telangana within the
integrated state of Andhra Pradesh? Have any of these agreements been implemented? Have any
of these solemn pledges been redeemed? Have any of the judicial pronouncements including the
verdict of Supreme Court of India been honored? Now what else is left to be further
experimented with?
What did the Chief Ministers who belonged to this region do while they were in power?
P. V. Narasimha Rao, M. Chenna Reddy and T. Anjaiah did become Chief Ministers of the state.
But what was the duration of stewardship of all of them put together? It was hardly 5 years, in
the state’s history of 47 years, that too in bits and pieces - to be precise, in four spells and each
spell spanning a few months. It should be noted that J. Vengal Rao was a migrant from Coastal
area. He never came out of his moorings and he never identified himself with the hopes and
aspirations of people of Telangana. Some of his decisions caused immense damage to the
region.
P. V. Narasimha Rao made a feeble attempt in 1972 to implement the verdict of Supreme Court
validating the Mulki Rules. The verdict was in favour of Telangana. But the reaction from the
other regions was so instantaneous and so wild that in the process P. V. Narasimha Rao lost his
Chief Ministership and the Telangana region lost all its safeguards. Even the verdict of the
highest judicial authority of the country was nullified. This can happen to any leader from
Telangana in that position. Because, their survival depends upon the support of the area which
has a numerical majority in the political setup and has greater money power to influence the
political process and administrative machinery. The problem, therefore, lies essentially in the
nature of political equations between the developed and backward regions and not necessarily in
the persons holding positions of power. The States Reorganization Commission eloquently
commented upon this as well.
Even if it is assumed that the leaders of a region becoming chief ministers can contribute to the
development of that region, then why do the people of Rayalaseema complain of backwardness?
This state has been ruled for two decades, and continues to be ruled even now, by the chief
ministers hailing from that region. And that too not by ordinary men, but by stalwarts like N.
Sanjeeva Reddy (twice), D. Sanjeevaiah, K. Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy (twice) and N. Chandra
Babu Naidu (already twice). They too could not - and would never - go against the dictates of
the affluent region for their political survival.
Rayalaseema and North Coastal Andhra also are backward. What is so special about
Telangana to ask for a separate state on this score?
It is true that these two regions also are backward. They too have been, like Telangana, victims
of neglect. But Telangana has an additional problem i.e. diversion of its resources, which
legitimately belong to it, for the development of other regions. Best - or worst - examples are
diversion of river waters and other natural resources, financial resources, employment
opportunities and so on. This has been going on unabated. The other two regions do not have
such problem. That Rayalaseema is relatively better developed than Telangana in several aspects
is a different story. So is the case with regard to industrial development of Visakapatnam in
North Coastal Andhra.
Further, Telangana can be a viable unit as a separate state and can be better developed. This was
also endorsed by the SRC. Above all, the people of the region want to have it. Why should the
people of Telangana keep quiet even if their counterparts in Rayalaseema and North Coastal
Andhra are contented with whatever is given to them?
How many smaller states can this country have?
More than half of the states in the country are smaller than Telangana. They are: Assam,
Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Jammu &
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Goa, Chatteesgarh, Jarkhand and Uttaranchal.
Further, West Bengal and Kerala also are smaller than Telangana in geographical area. Then
why all doubts about and objections to conferring statehood on Telangana, which would be the
largest of the smaller states in the country?
What about linguistic unity and cultural identity?
Next to Hindi, largest number of people in India speak Telugu. If there can be nine Hindispeaking
states with the possibility of some more coming up, what is wrong in having more than
one state for Telugus? It may be recalled that the SRC recommended the creation of separate
Telangana state in addition to the already existing Andhra state. The SRC, in fact, never wanted
language to be the sole criterion for reorganizing Indian states. The most intriguing part of the
whole argument of the so-called linguistic unity is that the Telangana dialect is ridiculed with
impunity especially by the cine field and mass media. Who controls them is an open secret. Can
such things go on without the connivance of ruling classes? Otherwise what hell the agencies
expected to censor films and TV serials are doing? In such humiliating conditions what is the
significance of linguistic and cultural unity? Has it not become totally meaningless?
Are the Naxalites responsible for the backwardness of Telangana?
Of late, this question has become some sort of a political slogan of the ruling classes. Therefore,
it needs to be examined dispassionately. While doing so one need not agree with the philosophy
of Naxalites and certainly need not endorse their acts of violence. The issue on hand is different.
If the argument of the government is based on facts it should be substantiated with empirical
evidence. How does one explain the following facts?
- Mahabub Nagar district is less affected by the Naxalite Movement as compared to the North
Telangana districts. Then how is it that Mahabub Nagar is more backward than all the districts of North Telangana? It is not only the most backward district in the region and the
state but is also one of the backward districts in the entire country.
- Kothagudem Thermal Plant and Ramagundam Thermal Plant are in the areas where the
Naxalites have been very active for the last three and a half decades. How is it that various
stages of development of Kothagudem Thermal Plant are being completed ahead of the
schedule? How is it that Ramagundam Thermal Plant is getting awards year after year for
its good performance?
- The entire coal belt is in Naxal-effected areas of the Telangana region. The coal produced
here is transported on a large scale to other regions without any hindrance. Have the
Naxalites stopped this activity any time?
- Even a private sector industry, the AP Rayons, is functioning well in the midst of
Warangal forests - the nerve centre of Naxalite activity. How is it functioning if Naxals are
a hindrance?
- Visakhapatnam district also is an important centre for Naxals. How is it that Vizag has
emerged as a major industrial town not only in the state but also in the entire country?
- Besides not starting any new industries in the region, several industries established by the
much-maligned Nizam are being closed one after the other. Examples: Azamjahi Mills, Sir
Silk Factory, Anthargaon Spinning Mills, Republic Forge and DBR Mills. The Alwyn
factory has already been sold. The Nizam’s sugar factory is also put on auction. Are the
Naxalites responsible for the closure of all these industries?
- The Telangana Movement of 1968-69 was a massive revolt of the people against the
exploitation of the region. Where were the Naxalites then?
It should be realized that the growth and spread of Naxalite Movement in Telangana is a
consequence of backwardness of the region and not a cause for its backwardness. But the
powers that be are trying to reverse the causal relationship. The people of the region have a
feeling, and justifiably so, that the ruling sections will see to it that the issues emanating from the
Naxalite Movement are never attended to with the seriousness and earnestness they deserve.
They have a vested interest in doing so. They can use it as a pretext to further neglect the region
in the realm of development.
What is the role of political parties in this regard?
- The Congress party and its leaders of the region have the reputation of talking about
Telangana when they are out of power and forgetting about it while in power.
- The Telugu Desam and its leaders of the region have the unique distinction of not talking
about Telangana whether in power or out of it. In fact, most of them are not even capable of
understanding the issues involved.
- The Communist parties boast of their preparedness to fight injustice and discrimination
found anywhere in the world. But, what has happened in Telangana during the last four and
a half decades never bothered the comrades.
- The BJP has excelled all other parties in playing hide and seek with this issue.
If political parties and political leaders fail to protect the interests of the people whom they claim
to represent, should the people subject themselves to misery and suffering forever? History tells
us that it is the will of the people that ultimately prevails. It is only a question of time.
K. Jayashankar
4-8-112, Kumarpally
Hanamkonda, 506 011
Warangal, (AP) INDIA
Telephone: 0870-2573822
E-mail: k_jayashankar@rediffmail.com