Supreme Court nixes plea of TS, Maharashtra

AP will stay in Babhali project body rules Apex court

New Delhi: In a relief to Andhra Pradesh, the Supreme Court here on Monday differed with the arguments of Telangana and Maharashtra that AP should have no role in the supervisory body of the Babhali Project on the border of Telangana and Maharashtra. It ruled that the residual State would continue to be part of the Committee.

Telangana's senior counsel, Vaidyanathan argued on Monday before the Chief Justice's bench headed by Justice T S Thakur that AP should be removed from the list as it had no interest in the project after the bifurcation nor had it any role in the Sriramsagar project of Telangana. Moreover, there was no dispute with Maharashtra at all for his State, he said.

On behalf of Maharashtra, senior counsel Andhyarjuna maintained a similar plea and argued that AP could pose problems to the two States in future if it continued in the Committee. The Bench sought to know whether Godavari waters dispute too was pending in a tribunal. Andhyarjuna's response was negative to this.

Senior Counsel, A K Ganguly, representing AP, differed with their stand and stated that AP could suffer if taken out of the Committee. The Bench felt that both the Telugu States were intolerant of each other. Lower riparian States would always be a part of the disputes involving river waters. At this juncture, the Telangana Counsel pointed out that there were in all seven States involved. The Bench ruled out taking cognisance of their stand and said AP would continue.