Maharashtra-Karnataka dispute: Deshmukh meets PM

New Delhi, July 25 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today assured a delegation led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh that the Centre would put forth its views on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border dispute before the Supreme Court by August 21.

The assurance came when Mr Deshmukh led an all-party delegation, which included two Marathi speaking MLAs of Karnataka, to the Prime Minister here.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Minister of State for Home Manik Rao Gavit, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil and Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Ramdas Kadam were part of the delegation.

The Chief Minister later told newsmen that the unresolved border dispute between the two states was pending before the apex court when Karnataka put up its defence. The Centre had to place its views in the court before August 21, the day fixed for hearing.

He said the Prime Minister had given a thorough and pateint hearing to the delegation and noted the feelings of the delegation.

Asked why the apex court was approached, he said for the last 50 years the border dispute remained unresolved. The decision of the apex court would be acceptable to Maharashtra, he added.

Mr Deshmukh during his visit to Delhi also met Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy and urged him to clear plans for development of Mumbai's Mithi river. He also called for speedy clearance of Mumbai's sewerage disposal project pending before the Centre.

Mr Deshmukh also met Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and sought Rs 800 crores for Pune city which will host Youth Commonwealth Games.

UNI YS PA RAI2132