Thaindian News

New Delhi, Aug 2 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday convened a meeting of chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra over the Babhali barrage row and called upon the two riverine states to abide by the Supreme Court’s interim order.
Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal told reporters after the nearly 30-minute meeting that the matter between the two states was pending before the apex court. He said the court was likely to adjudicate on the issue soon.

“In the meantime, it was agreed to strictly abide by the interim order of the Supreme Court,” Bansal said.

He said that the Central Water Commission will carefully monitor the compliance status.

Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh K. Rosaiah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan did not talk to reporters after the meeting.

Sources said the meeting was aimed at addressing apprehensions among Andhra Pradesh’s political parties that Maharashtra was not sticking to its commitment about the project.

Rosaiah had last week led an all-party delegation to the prime minister and urged him to direct the Maharashtra government to dismantle the gates installed at the Babhali barrage and take necessary action to put an end to the dispute.

Political parties in Andhra Pradesh have accused Maharashtra of carrying out illegal construction on the Babhali barrage against the Supreme Court order, but Maharashtra denies it.