MyVoice: Views of our readers 22nd May 2020

Create awareness on Covid-19

Every librarian should play a key role in this pandemic situation. One should be able to evaluate the information that circulates in the social media. Only authentic information must be given to the society. The dissemination of information about the Covid-19 by following the guidelines of the government is utmost important. Children should be encouraged to participate in the contests like drawing to create awareness on Covid-19 and also about the need to increase immunity power in humans.

Shaik Meera, Rajamahendravaram, AP

China should be punished

The highest death toll of more than three lakh worldwide due to the outbreak of ghastly coronavirus as a part of waging a biological war was probably not experienced even in two World Wars or in any epidemic affected times. Four months have gone, but no leader has come forward to bell the cat for probing the facts behind the conspiracies of spreading coronavirus across the globe. Though causalities are expected to increase manifold, no perfect remedial vaccine has been invented. Otherwise, coronavirus will continue to rein in full swing. Now that World Health Assembly started investigation with its current membership of 120 countries, China is trying to escape by buying time to assist the WHA. If China is proved to be the convict, then all affected nations should claim compensation to the extent of their financial damages plus loss of lives. China should be expelled from the UNO and corona affected nations should also isolate China without any fear or favour in spite of its big status.

Dr NSR Murthy, Secunderabad

AP police should mend their ways

The way a doctor was treated in AP by the police for criticising the government was inhuman. Even the High Court sharply reacted to the way the police rolled him on the road and tied his hands on the back. As the defence counsel pointed out, the doctor who examined him should have kept his diagnosis confidential, but it was stated in the press that he was suffering from acute and transient psychosis. It is sad that in a democratic system as ours, the AP government could not tolerate the way the doctor criticised the inadequacies in system. The way the functioning of the government should change, and the lathi-wielding police should mend their ways.

Dr T Ramadas, Visakhapatnam, AP

Telugu States should address water issues amicably

The government of Andhra Pradesh has issued GO 170 on September 13, 2005, proposing to increase the efficiency of Pothireddypadu head regulator. In addition to the four canals in this head regulator, seven other canals were also proposed to construct. The goal is to increase its capacity from the current 11,500 cusecs to 40,000 cusecs. The water required for the three canals (Telugu Ganga, Galeru-Nagari and Srisailam Right Canal) should be moved up to 102 tmc ft. The government wants to increase the capacity of Pothireddipadu to move the floodwater within 30 days. The AP government's argument is as follows. For supply of water to the Rayalaseema projects, the capacity of the Pothireddipadu head regulator should be increased.

The water moving from Srisailam through Pothireddipadu is only floodwater. Telugu Ganga including drinking water supply to Chennai needs 45 tmc fts, Galeru-Nagari needs 38 tmcft and Srisailam Right Canal needs 19 tmcft. A total of 102 tmcft are required for Rayalaseema projects. When designing these projects, it was estimated that there would be a flood period of 45 days. But for the past 10 years, there has been no flooding beyond 30 days. Only 40,000 cusecs go when the water level is 880 feet in Srisailam. When the minimum water level is 854 feet, only three thousand cusecs will go. The Telangana government's argument is different. The moving of water from Nagarjunasagar project from Srisailam to Pothireddipadu is not correct. It affects the power generation and the irrigation of water supply in Telangana State. There have been incidents of forced gates being lifted from Srisailam to Rayalaseema. If increase the capacity now, more damage will be done. Floodwater usage is not wrong. But Telangana claims that all the water will be carried even when there is no future flood. In this juncture, both the governments should settle the issue appropriately through dialogues.

M K Kumar, Korlagunta, Tirupati