Bizz Buzz Bureau Hyderabad

DeputyChief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said the spirit of cooperative federalism lies in resolving issues between the Centre and the States amicably and ensuring the speedy implementation of decisions taken.

He said the true test of a federal system was its ability to find fair and lawful solutions when the interests of different States come into conflict.

Bhatti Vikramarka made these remarks at the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting held at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and other leaders.

Speaking at the meeting, Bhatti said true federalism required institutions capable of coordinating diverse interests in a fair, lawful and effective manner. On the Krishna river water dispute, he saidTelangana’s position was clear and that the State was firmly seeking its rightful share in accordance with the legal mechanisms already in place. He called for preventing unilateral actions that could affect the rights of downstream States and stressed that uniform principles should be applied to all States in the Krishna basin.

He pointed out that the allocation of Krishna waters between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh was currently before the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II and called for an early resolution through theestablished legal process.

Bhatti Vikramarka also stressed the need to protectTelangana’s interests in the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy and Nakkalagandi lift schemes. He urged the Centre to extend financial assistance for the Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Ranga Reddy lift irrigation projects. The Deputy Chief Minister said restoration works on the Kaleshwaram barrages were under way and steps were being taken to revive the Pranahita-Chevella project at Tummidihetti. He urged the Centre to extend its cooperation in completing the remaining works of the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy lift scheme so that the projectcould be fully utilised.