What happened: Telangana’s proposed escalation on Krishna river inter-State issues
Telangana’s Government plans to place its objections related to Karnataka’s “unauthorized or new projects” on the Krishna river at the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram on August 20. Telangana intends to invoke the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, including the Act’s escalation pathway to the Union Government when inter-state disputes arise.
Telangana also intends to press for conferment of national project status for the major lift irrigation projects Kaleshwaram and Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Projects. The meeting agenda is also expected to include complaints from Karnataka about Telangana’s projects.
Background and earlier positions: Karnataka’s defence and Telangana’s objections
Karnataka’s stated position, as reported in the supplied material, is that Karnataka has the right to use the remaining Krishna river water specified in the tribunal’s final order. Karnataka’s position also includes the claim that Telangana should not undertake permanent works to use surplus waters beyond what the tribunal’s final-order framework permits.