Brijesh Kumar Tribunal Verdict

Brijesh Kumar Tribunal Verdict will fight tooth and nail: CM

• Meets representatives of all parties
• Agrees to lead a delegation to Prime Minister
• To convene another meet on SLP

Hyderabad: The all-party meeting, chaired by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy in Secretariat on Tuesday, unanimously resolved to fight politically and legally to protect the rights of Andhra Pradesh on the decision of the Brijesh Kumar Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II.

The Chief Minister is also likely to lead an all-party delegation to the Prime Minister to protect the overall interests of Andhra Pradesh.

He said that after discussing all the issues raised and suggestions made by the leaders of the political parties, with the experts and legal authorities, an all-party meeting will again be convened to give a final shape to the fresh SLP (Special Leave Petition).

The Chief Minister reiterated the overall interest of the State will be protected and said that State government will fight for water for all the projects including that of Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda and Rayalaseema districts. Leaders of each political party spoke at length and made suggestions on how to go about the SLP.

Kiran, in his opening remarks, said that two all-party meetings were held under his chairmanship on February 15 and March 22, 2011 and discussions were held on KWDT-II decision on December 30, 2010 and it was decided to file on SLP before the Supreme Court and to seek clarifications before the Tribunal. Accordingly, SLP was filed on March 28, 2011. After hearing the stay petition on September 16, 2011, the Supreme Court observed that the matter would require detailed consideration and directed the Central government not to publish section 5(3) decision of KWDT-II in the official gazette pending disposal of SLP. “The government will finalise the plan whether to approach the apex court with fresh SLP or with the present one,” he said.

Admitting that injustice was done to the State by the Tribunal, Chief Minister categorically stated that the government will protect every right for the river waters. “The suggestion from farmers associations is already sought and the advice of technical experts is being taken,” Kiran added.

All the leaders, who participated in the meeting, explained the problems of the State with the verdict and made several suggestions on how to go about the SLP and filing of a case in Supreme Court by farmers, who would be extended legal support by the government.

The officials told the meeting that the Tribunal overlooked the issue of earmarking 150 TMC towards carry over storage to Andhra Pradesh at the first instance from the flows over and above 2130 TMC. Settled matters of 78 years series, 75 per cent dependability and Westward diversion by KWDT-I were reopened.

TDP, YSRCP, TRS, CPI, CPM, BJP, Lok Satta and AIMIM representatives attended the meeting.