Date:09/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/09/stories/2007010904420600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

A.P. water Minister's poser to critics

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah has offered to share a common platform for a debate to disprove charges made by critics against increase in discharge capacity of Pothireddypadu head-regulator of Srisailam dam. He has said that he is prepared to resign from the Cabinet if their charges are proved otherwise, they must quit their positions.

He condemned the charges levelled by Telangana Rashtra Samiti president K. Chandrasekhara Rao and T. Devender Goud of the Telugu Desam describing the capacity hike as an attempt to illegally divert Krishna waters to Rayalaseema at the cost of the Telangana.