KCR, Jagan to thrash out bifurcation issues

Hyderabad: The first official meeting between Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is likely to be held at KCR's official residence Pragathi Bhavan on June 28.

The objective of the meeting is to resolve the division of assets and water sharing issues, including the construction of new projects on river Godavari and Krishna.

In the meeting, the two CMs will accord top priority to the optimum utilisation of waters of two rivers for the benefit of the two states in a cordial manner.

The proposal to divert excess Godavari waters to Krishna via Srisailam and the construction of some more lift projects on the two rivers with mutual consent will also figure in the meeting.

After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the two states locked horns on the division of assets and water sharing and the issues were pending at different levels since 2014.

Officials said the repatriation of nearly 1300 fourth class Telangana employees working in the AP government to the home state, division of senior police officials in the rank of DSP and SP (non-cadre), AP native employees working with Telangana power utilities, pending dues between the two state DISCOMs, etc, are yet to be resolved.

The division of assets mainly the issues related to 89 undivided state boards and corporations under the 10th schedule was also pending.

Sources said that KCR is keen to strengthen the relations with Andhra Pradesh by resolving every issue in an amicable manner. The officials of state Irrigation and Services departments will also attend the meeting.

The two governments are expecting a positive outcome on the repatriation of Telangana employees and sending back the electricity engineers to their native states.