HYDERABAD: In a major setback to the successor states of AP and TS, the project-wise allocation of Krishna River waters will be done only between the two states. Maharashtra and Karnataka states will not be involved in this process, Brijesh Kumar Tribunal (Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal) said in its order delivered on Wednesday in Delhi.
The Tribunal wants AP and TS to file their statements on project-wise allocations within four weeks. The case is listed for December 14.
Both AP and TS had argued that the project-wise allocations could not be done in isolation with the upper riparian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
However, Maharashtra and Karnataka argued before the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal that the provisions of AP Reorganisation Act would not be applicable to their states. The Central government too indicated that the Tribunal make project-wise allocations between AP and TS as per the AP Reorganisation Act.
Considering all the arguments, the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal delivered its order on Wednesday, stating that the project-wise allocation should be done between AP and TS.
“Even though Section 89 of AP Reorganisation Act may not be strictly referable to Article 262 of the Constitution, but in the background of the peculiar facts of the case, it may not be considered totally divorced of it. In that view of the matter, we feel that the question referred under section 89 can be entertained by this Tribunal,” the Tribunal observed on Wednesday. State government advisor (irrigation) R Vidyasagar Rao said that the Tribunal did not consider the arguments of TS government. He said the state government would take future course of action soon on the order.
Telangana advocate general J Ramachandra Rao said the order of the Tribunal was not final.
He added that they would challenge the Tribunal’s order in Supreme Court.
“This matter stands finally disposed off. The successor states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh shall file their statement regarding clauses (a) and (b) of Section 89 of Act No 6 of 2014, within a period of four weeks,” the order stated.