Date:19/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/04/19/stories/2007041902432100.htm

Back AP preparing for SC hearing on Babli issue

Our Bureau

Hyderabad April 18 The Andhra Pradesh Government is gearing to present its arguments on the Babli dam issue before the Supreme Court when the matter comes up for hearing on April 25.

The issue was discussed at a high-level review meeting with senior officials, engineers and legal experts.

The Government will effectively present its case before the apex court, Mr P. Lakshmaiah, Minister of Major and Minor Irrigation, told newspersons on Wednesday.

A high-level delegation led by Mr Lakshmaiah would leave for New Delhi on April 23.

`ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION'

The recent developments, including the Maharashtra police action at Babli on protestors from Andhra Pradesh, the copies of letters written by Chief Minister Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Union Ministry of Water Resources, and the State Cabinet's resolutions condemning Maharashtra's "illegal construction" would also be submitted to the Supreme Court, Mr Lakshmaiah said.

In addition, photographs of "illegal construction" at Babli would be submitted to the court along with other evidence, he added.

Refuting criticism by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Telangana Rastra Samithi that the State Government had been "sleeping on the issue" for a long time, the Minister said, "The State Government is fully prepared to protect the interests of the State. We will win the case."