Date:10/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/10/stories/2005051011080400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Apex Court issues notice to State

Legal Correspondent

Petitioners contend proposed power project will hit ryots

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Governments on a petition filed by Andhra Pradesh farmers to restrain the Dharam Singh Government from constructing a hydel power project in alleged violation of Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) award.

A three-judge Bench, comprising Chief Justice R.C. Lahoti, Justice D.M. Dharmadhikari and Justice G.P. Mathur, also issued notice to Sree Swarna Energy Ltd., which was constructing the project.

Appearing for the petitioner, Atma Linga Reddy and others, the senior counsel, Harish Salve, contended that the Karnataka Government had entrusted the project to a company whose Managing Director, Y.V. Subba Reddy, was a close relative of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

The counsel said if the power project, adjacent to the inter-State project under Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme, was constructed, water supply to nearly 87,000 acres of land in Mahabubnagar would be affected.

Farmers alleged that the Karnataka Government's decision was in violation of the KWDT award. Petitioners sought a direction to the Karnataka Government to ensure water in the canal so that Andhra Pradesh got its share of 15.2 TMC of water.