All-Party Meet On Krishna Dispute

The state government has decided to convene a meeting of all the political parties in the state on March 22nd, at 4:00pm, to facilitate a discussion on the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal Verdict.

This decision was announced by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy after Leader Of Opposition, N Chandrababu Naidu, found fault with the government with regard to the Tribunal's verdict.

Even when other states were laying a claim on AP's quota of River Krishna's waters, Naidu charged, the government was not concerned. He was specific in his charge over the appointment of advocate Parasaran, who he alleged was removed.

Responding to this charge, the Chief Minister clarified that after taking into account the opinions of all the political leaders, the arguments would be put forth before the Tribunal. Naidu had also categorically stated that the government was not properly reacting to the problems faced by the state.

Denying that the government was at fault, Kiran Kumar Reddy said that there was no truth in Naidu allegations. He also made it clear that there were no differences among the party leaders that the Krishna Tribunal decision was against the state's interests.

Senior advocate Parasaran's services were not available to the government as he was preoccupied, the Chief Minister explained. He added that Parasaran was now ready to argue the case of the state. KKR said that the government was also consulting senior advocate Harish Salve in this regard.

Prior to the Chief Minister's clarification, Major And Medium Irrigation Minister P Sudarshan Reddy had stated that advocate Parasaran had been appointed to argue the case for Andhra Pradesh.

Earlier, TDP members had demanded a full-fledged debate on the subject but Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar rejected their demand on the grounds that the minister concerned was ready to reply on the cited topic.

When TDP and Congress members met the Deputy Speaker in his chambers, the Congress members desired that a debate on Telangana be held, while the TDP members favoured a discussion on the Krishna Water Tribunal verdict.

The tail-end of the state would turn barren if dams and projects were constructed by Karnataka, the TDP pointed out.

TDP MLA Lingareddy accused the government of selling the interests of the state to neighbouring states, and questioned as to how they were allowed to go ahead with constructing the dams blocking the quota of water meant for the riparian states.

Another TDP MLA, Tangirala Prabhakar, said that because of the negligence of the government, the current leaders would be held responsible and branded as culprits by the later generations.

The house was adjourned for half an hour over the issue as the TDP members demanded a full discussion on the Tribunal's decision, which was rejected, and the Chair was forced to adjourn the house for a short break.

Courtesy: INN