Supreme Court makes Telangana Rashtra Samithi in Krishna water dispute

A three-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice R.M. Lodha, observed , “After bifurcation of the state, the rights of both states have been affected”. Appearing for Telangana, senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan said the state would file a separate special leave petition as it was important to hear Telangana’s arguments in the case. Chief Justice agreed that a fresh look was needed to be considered in the dispute as Telangana had never been heard or represented before.

Maharashtra government had filed a petition seeking the Union government to formally issue a gazette notification on the final award passed by Brijesh Kumar Tribunal in 2013 for its implementation. There are already three petitions pending before the Apex court in this matter. Undivided AP government had filed a Special Leave Petition seeking review of the award passed by Brijesh Kumar Tribunal on sharing of Krishna waters among the three riparian states.

Another petition filed by the Telangana state government sought di-rection from the Apex Court to allow it to put forth its arguments before Brijesh Kumar Tribunal, after coming into existence on June 2. Telangana state contended that it contributes to part of Krishna river catchment and hence have the right to have their own share in the waters. The third petition was filed by Maharashtra, stating it was already over a year since the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal gave its final award and as per the law unless it is notified by the Central government the contents of the award cannot be enforced. Due to the delay Maharashtra wants directions from the Apex Court. Supreme Court on Friday formally included Telangana in the ongoing Krishna Water dispute post-bifurcation of AP.