Parties seek PM's intervention on Babli

The all-party meting convened by Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Friday unanimously decided to seek Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention to stop the “illegal” construction of the Babhali dam by Maharashtra across the River Godavari.

The meeting was presided over by Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and attended by the representatives of all politiclal parties except Telugu Desam. The meet resolved to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister July 26 stating his intervention to protect the interests of lower-riparian states, especially of Andhra Pradesh.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshamaiah said the meeting decided to bring to the notice of the prime minister that the project being built by Maharashtra in violation of river water sharing agreements would prove detrimental to the interests of Andhra Pradesh.

He said the Prime Minister would be urged to suggest a permanent solution to the problem and to ensure that upper-riparian states do not resort to steps which prove detrimental to the interests of riparian states downstream.

The meeting was convened to evolve a consensus before the all-party team visits Delhi to meet the Prime Minister.

The main Opposition Telugu Desam Party did not participate in the meeting protesting against the decision of the government to allow only one representative from each party. Its leaders came out after submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister.