Alamatti verdict upheld Karnataka stand: Krishna

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUMALA, MAY 1. The Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna, today pooh-poohed the Andhra Pradesh contention as well as those of Opposition parties in the Karnataka Assembly on the Supreme Court judgment in the Alamatti case, saying that a close analysis of the verdict indicated that Karnataka's contention on three vital points was upheld.

The Supreme Court had refused to grant injunction on rising the dam level to 519.4 m as pleaded by Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra; it had turned down Andhra Pradesh's plea to recognise its right over surplus waters of the Krishna on the basis of utilisation of water; and it had also turned down the objection of Andhra Pradesh for bulk allocation water to the dam.

The only loss to Karnataka was that with the dam height restricted to 519.4 m, as against 524 m originally proposed, power generation would be reduced to 2,200 million units from the 2,800 million units actually proposed.

Mr. Krishna said he was ready to negotiate with Andhra Pradesh on the issue as it would enable both States to settle the issue on an equitable basis, besides avoiding delay.

Mr. Krishna, who arrived in Tirumala this morning, addressed mediapersons on several ``water issues'' between both States.

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Section  : National
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