The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Karnataka covering up its violations: Andhra Pradesh

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Saturday, Apr 30, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Karnataka covering up its violations: Andhra Pradesh

Special Correspondent

Representation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a drama

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Government has dubbed the representation on Thursday by the Karnataka team led by its Chief Minister, Dharam Singh, to the Prime Minister `a drama and propaganda' to cover up its own violations of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) award.

It has decided to uncover the drama by citing these `blatant violations' at the first hearing of the new tribunal on May 19. After the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, discussed Karnataka's representation at a meeting here on Friday, the Major Irrigation Minister, P. Lakshmaiah, told reporters that the future course of action would be decided after consulting political parties and others. Pending future action, the State Government had filed a petition before the tribunal seeking an interim order to stop the numerous Krishna basin-based projects being `illegally executed' by Karnataka and allow Andhra Pradesh to go ahead with its own projects. He declared that the State's interests would be protected at any cost.

No locus standi

Mr. Lakshmaiah said the Chief Minister strongly felt that Karnataka had no locus standi in the case since its petition challenging the Telugu Ganga, Srisailam Left and Right Canal projects, Bhima and Pulichintala projects had been dismissed by the Supreme Court in 1997. Mr. Lakshmiah spoke of `countless violations' of the KWDT award by Karnataka in constructing the Upper Thunga, Singatlur, Basavapur, Bennur, Hirehalli, Maskinala, Sasalwadi, Varda and Upper Bhadra projects. He wanted the Centre to revoke the clearances given to them in line with the assurance given in the Rajya Sabha recently that the `arithmetical errors' committed by the Central agencies would be rectified.

The Minister said the height of the Alamatti dam was increased to 519.6 metres without fulfilling the conditions laid down by the Supreme Court. Karnataka was now attempting to raise the height to 524 metres. Maharashtra was violating the award by raising the height of the Ujjaini dam, construction of several lift schemes, westward diversion of 82 tmcft from Koyna and another 4.6 tmcft illegally from Kundali project.

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