The ongoing dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over river Krishna waters, and the implementation of promises made to Andhra Pradesh under the AP Reorganisation Act, are some of the main issues that the YSR Congress Party will raise in the ensuing monsoon session of Parliament. The YSRCP will also reiterate the demand for grant of special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Ahead of the Parliament session beginning on July 19, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy held a meeting with his party MPs to discuss the strategy to be adopted and the issues to be raised.
Talking to reporters at the end of the meeting, YSRCP Parliamentary Party leader V Vijayasai Reddy said they would raise the issue of “illicit” utilisation of Krishna water by the neighbouring Telangana government for power generation, allegedly depriving Andhra Pradesh of water for irrigation and drinking needs. The state has already filed a petition in the Supreme Court on the issue. "We will raise the illegal projects being constructed on river Krishna by Telangana. We will also demand that the Centre immediately notify the jurisdiction of Krishna River Management Board," Vijayasai Reddy said.
Referring to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, the Rajya Sabha MP said that YSRCP was strongly opposed to its privatisation. "We have already suggested various alternatives for turning the VSP around, instead of selling away the government stake. We will ask the Centre to take back its decision to divest its stake in VSP," the YSRCP leader said.
He said the Telangana government owed over Rs 6,100 crore in the form of electricity charges. The Union government's intervention would be sought to prevail upon Telangana to clear the dues forthwith. Vijayasai Reddy maintained that they would not compromise on the issue of securing special category status to the state. "We have raised the issue with the Centre at least a dozen times so far and we will continue to raise it. Also, all promises made to AP under the Reorganisation Act, 2014, have to be fulfilled," he added.
The Rajya Sabha member said the Union government was yet to approve the revised cost estimates, amounting to over Rs 55,000 crore, for the Polavaram project. "This has been pending for over 29 months now. We will ask the Centre to do this expeditiously and also clear pending dues related to the project," he added.
YSRCP leader in Lok Sabha P Midhun Reddy said they would request the Union government to clear the Disha Bill passed by the state Legislature, aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women and children. "We will raise several other issues related to the state," he said.