Andhra Pradesh seeks Telangana’s prosecution for ‘fake’ RLIS proof

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh has filed an affidavit in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) asking for prosecution of Telangana for allegedly producing fake evidence before the tribunal in relation to Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS).
AP chief secretary Aditya Nath Das, in his affidavit (a copy of which is available with TOI), alleged that Telangana had submitted a video of Pothireddypadu project work and claimed it as that of RLIS.
“Telangana fabricated evidence, which is punishable under section 192 of IPC,” he said. The CS demanded that NGT initiate appropriate criminal proceedings against Telangana in accordance with law.
He alleged that Telangana had submitted a video to the NGT to misleadingly show that work was taken up at RLIS project site.
KRMB stated no work being done at RLIS
A perusal of the video clippings furnished by Telangana has shown that the works have got nothing to do with RLIS. They are in fact related to Pothireddypadu head regulator,” he said.
He said the work pertained to removal of earthen mound between the existing approach channels of Pothireddypadu old and new head regulators. “A separate tender was called for and it was not connected with the works of Rayalaseema lift scheme,” said Das.
The CS also said the RLIS was located on the left side of Pothireddypadu approach channel, at a distance of nearly 200 metres. “Telangana has produced a false evidence to prejudice the mind of the tribunal,” he alleged.
The Krishna River Management Board, in its report, had categorically stated that no work was going on at the RLIS project site at present. The Union ministry of environment and forest, which also filed an independent report on September 8, said that no work was taken up at the project site.
The case pertains to a petition filed by Govinolla Srinivas, a native of Telangana, last year against the construction of RLIS by AP without obtaining permission.