Hyderabad, June 17 (UNI) The Telangana government is holding a meeting with the members of parliament of all parties in the state here on Wednesday to discuss the controversial Godavari-Bankacharla project proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government.

In release here on Tuesday, state Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said it is proposed to take the view/suggestions of all MPs (both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) in a meeting to be held in his office in the state secretariat at 4pm on June 18.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will attend the meeting as the chief guest, he said.

We are also inviting Union Coal Minister and state BJP chief G Kishan Reddy and Minister of state for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay to the meeting as guests of honour and seek their suggestions over the project, said Uttam.

The AP government has proposed to construct the project and has submitted the proposals to the ministries of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Finance. Uttam said on a preliminary study, the project appears to be in ‘violation’ of award of Godavari Water Dispute Tribunal of 1980 and Andhra Pradesh reorganisation Act 2014. The project as envisaged will adversely affect the water rights of the people of Telangana.

In a press conference on Monday, state BJP chief and Union Coal Minister Kishan Reddy clarified that the Centre has not taken any stand on the proposed Banakacherla project linking Godavari and Krishna rivers waters by the Andhra Pradesh government, but Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy can take an initiative to have a dialogue with AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

"Revanth Reddy can write to the Union Water Resources Minister seeking such a meeting with Mr Naidu and sort out the issue since there is a feeling that Telangana will be adversely affected by the project,” he said.

The Centre has only sought a pre-feasibility report on the proposed project. It will consider the views of all the riparian States, water basin and other issues before the Centre Water Commission (CWC) takes a considered decision. There will be no injustice to Telangana,” Kishan Reddy added.

Expressing concern over the Andhra Pradesh government’s proposed Rs 80,000 crore Godavari-Banakacherla link project, senior BRS leader and former Minister T Harish Rao had earlier urged the Irrigation Minister Uttam to convene an all party meeting or a special assembly session to clarify Telangana’s stance on the project.

He warned that the execution of the Godavari-Banakacherla link project could adversely impact Telangana’s right allocation of river water resources.

Harish also urged Uttam to take immediate legal and political measures to safeguard the interests of the state.

UNI KNR PRS