The Supreme Court on Monday suggested mediation between the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to resolve their dispute over alleged expansion works to link the Polavaram irrigation project with Banakacherla or Nallamala Sagar..A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a plea by the Telangana government seeking directions to halt works allegedly being carried out by Andhra Pradesh without mandatory statutory approvals.“Why cannot both you AP and Telangana think of mediation. Think of mediation please....there are other states Maharashtra and Karnataka as well,” CJI Kant remarked..In its writ petition before the Court, the Telangana government contended that the Polavaram project can only be executed in accordance with the plan originally approved and that any expansion or additional works were illegal. It objected to the Centre’s decision to examine pre-feasibility reports of the proposed Nallamala Sagar project without first addressing Telangana’s objections. It alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government was preparing a detailed project report in breach of Central Water Commission (CWC) guidelines and sought an immediate halt to all such actions..Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Telangana, submitted that a committee constituted to look into the issues cannot be rendered infructuous.“Addition of lift component near barrages was also not discarded. Central Water Commission (CWC) just last month directed that no in principle consent should be given. The committee cannot be rendered infructuous before it is made,” he said.CJI Kant said that the State can write to the committee. “We are seeing whether there is a violation or attempt to violate the award by AP government. Polavaram project is a Central govt project and you are correct that nothing can be added or diverted without permission of centre. So you can write to the committee.”The Court added that it can issue instructions to the committee."The committee is quite active and they can intervene,” CJI Kant said..CJI Kant also declined to pass any interim order, while questioning the mantainability of the writ petition“Can we not issue an interim injunction if you file a civil suit later?”.Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta also appeared in the matter. “Unique thing in post independent India is that a project should not be even placed before the committee," he said.The matter will be heard again next week..[Read Live Thread].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.
