Chief Justice of India N V Ramana on Monday refused to hear the petition related to Krishna river water dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, but offered to mediate between the two states to settle the issue.
"I am from both States. I am not interested in hearing legal issues but can help if parties agree to mediation," Justice Ramana said. “Otherwise, I will have to transfer the case to another bench,” he said.
The CJI asked the counsel for the two States to take instructions from their governments and posted the case for further consideration on Wednesday, August 4.
The Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Ramana and Justice Surya Kant was hearing a plea by State of Andhra Pradesh against Telangana alleging that the latter has been denying them their legitimate share of water for drinking and irrigation purposes.
In its petition, Andhra Pradesh asked the Supreme Court to direct the Telanagan government to notify jurisdiction as per the 2014 AP Reorganisation Act, strike down the order passed by Telangana government on June 28 as unjust and illegal and have Andhra Pradesh take control of the common Reservoirs of Srisailam, Nagarjunasagar and also Pulichintala Reservoir along with all their outlets.
The plea stated that in Srisailam project, the reservoir’s quantity has seriously depleted on account of use of water from it generation of power in Telangana State.
The AP government requested Telanagana to stop the same but it was not complied with.
The actions of the Telangana government are unconstitutional and in violation of right to life of people of Andhra Pradesh, it was contended.
It was further submitted that State of Telangana is refusing to follow decisions taken in the Apex Council constituted under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014 and directions of Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) constituted under the 2014 Act and directions of Government of India.
