T-issue may hit Krishna water report

The Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal report is likely to lose importance amidst ongoing Telangana agitation and the appointment of Srikrishna Committee.

The tribunal — formed to resolve water sharing dispute among Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh — is expected to present its report before November, almost around the same time when the Srikrishna Committee is planning to submit its report on the state bifurcation issue.

There are chances of the Krishna Water Tribunal report becoming null and void or it may require a rework, if the panel recommends bifurcation of the state.

The state irrigation depar-tment has requested to the Tribunal to hold its report until the Srikrishna panel report is tabled. However, they are uncertain whether their request would hold any importance if the panel decides for bifurcation. The Justice Brijesh Kumar-led second Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal has been hearing the arguments of the three states since 2005.

“We have completed our arguments and waiting for the recommendations, which we feel would take four to six months. But with the present turmoil over Telangana, we are not sure of implementing the tribunal order,” said a senior official in the government.

In fact, the state government had given top priority to the tribunal in the backdrop of the prestigious Jalayagnam programme.

Governor turns down Tiwari’s choice of VC

The Governor, Mr E.S.L. Narasimhan, sprang a surprise by reappointing Prof A. Ramachandra Reddy as vice-chancellor of the Yogi Vemana University in Kadapa.
He reversed the decision of former governor, Mr N.D. Tiwari, who had approved Prof Narayan Rao of Sri Venkateshwara University for the post. However, the orders were not issued as Mr Tiwari resigned on December 26 following allegations of his involvement in a sex scandal.
Mr Narasimhan, who was then the Governor of Chhattissgarh, was appointed as in-charge Governor of Andhra Pradesh on December 28. He put the decision regarding new VCs for Telangana University, Adikavi Nannayya University and Yogi Vemana University on hold for being an “in-charge Governor.”.
After assuming office on January 22 as a full-time Governor, Mr Narasimhan reviewed the files submitted by three search committees, which recommended the names for VCs for three universities. He decided to give extension to Prof Ramachandra Reddy for the second term.
There were speculations that the Governor decided to review the approval granted by Mr Tiwari to Prof Vishweshwar Rao as VC of Telangana University amidst reports that he has links with students unions working closely with the Maoists.
The decision came as a surprise even to the officials of higher education department who said it was totally unexpected. “The name of Mr Narayan Rao was approved by Mr Tiwari. But orders were not issued at that time due to the volatile political situation. But giving a second term to Mr Reddy was totally unexpected,” said a higher education department official.
Prof Reddy, a senior professor at the University of Hyderabad, expressed happiness over his reappointment and said he was surprised by the news.