AP to challenge Krishna Tribunal award on Mar 29

Former Lok Ayukta Justice R. Ramanujam (right) makes a point to former Minister Mandali Buddha Prasad (left), even as former Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court A. Lakshmana Rao looks on, at a meeting on the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal Award on sharing of Krishna waters, in Vijayawada. A file photo: V. Raju

Andhra Pradesh government will file an appeal either in the Supreme Court or before the Krishna River Water Disputes Tribunal on March 29 against the Tribunal’s award over allocation of Krishna water to the State.

The government will convene an all-party meeting here on March 22 to discuss the State’s strategy to contest the Justice Brijesh Kumar Tribunal’s award that is totally detrimental to AP’s interests.

The government is engaging senior Supreme Court lawyers Parasaran and Harish Salve to fight the State’s case against the award, according to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Reacting to the issue raised by principal opposition Telugu Desam Party in the State Assembly today, the Chief Minister said the government would take all steps to protect the state’s interests over its rightful share of Krishna water.

“Our government representatives are discussing the case and the legal aspects with Mr. Parasaran and Mr. Salve in New Delhi. Based on their feedback we shall file the appeal,” the Chief Minister said.

Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu held the Congress government responsible for failing to argue the State’s case before the Tribunal.

He said justice would not be done to the State unless the government brought pressure on both the Central government and the Tribunal to give AP its rightful share of Krishna water.

“This is a very serious issue but the Congress seems unperturbed. It will not be unhappy even if it mortgages the state,” he charged.

Major Irrigation Minister P Sudarshan Reddy said the Chief Minister would hold an all-party meeting on the 22nd to discuss the issue in details and the steps to be taken while filing an appeal.

Earlier, the Assembly was adjourned for 30 minutes as TDP MLAs stormed the Speaker’s podium demanding an immediate discussion through an adjournment motion on the Tribunal award.

At the same time, Congress MLAs from Telangana, who ended their boycott and returned to the House today, rose to their feet and raised slogans in favour of a separate State.

The TDP members raised slogans as officiating Speaker Nadendla Manohar disallowed the adjournment motion.

Mr. Manohar later held a meeting with floor leaders of all parties to resolve the issue and let the House run in order.

The House resumed business after two hours.