Protests mar all-party meet on Krishna

Hyderabad, Aug 1 (UNI) The opposition TDP and TRS staged a walkout from an all-party meet to firm up Andhra Pradesh's stand on sharing of Krishna waters with Maharashtra and Karnataka over the alleged Government's 'failure' to protect the State's interests. However, the state Government denied the charge and asserted it would not be found wanting in protecting the State's interests before the tribunal.

Talking to newspersons here, Irrigation Minister P Lakshmaiah on an application from the upper riparian states to stop the five ongoing projects planned using surplus waters said, the state Government had filed the Interlocutory Application, which was in confirmity with the Bachawat Tribunal award, it provides liberty to the lower riparian state to use surplus Krishna waters.

Accusing the state Government of succumbing to pressure from the upper riparian states, TDP Spokesman K Srihari demanded replacement of the lawyers, who had allegedly not argued the state's case properly.

Leading a walkout by TRS representatives, former Minister Nayini Narasimha Reddy alleged that the state Government had meted out 'injustice' to the Telangana region through its stand before the tribunal.

TRS spokesman Prakash said the Government should press for Constitution of Krishna Valley Authority, adhere to project-wise allocation made by the previous Bachawat tribunal and stop alleged diversion of Krishna waters to the Rayalaseema region.

He also urged the Government to provide surplus water to Telangana first before giving to other regions.

UNI SM KVV AK GC1903