PANAJI
Ahead of the Mhadei river diversion hearing before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that “evidence wise Goa has a strong case” to put up before the Apex bench.
The Supreme Court has listed for November 29, Goa’s special leave petition (SLP) challenging the decision of the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT) granting 13.42 tmc (thousand million cubic feet) of water to Karnataka for its Kalasa-Bhandura drinking water cum irrigation project. On the very same day, the Court will hear a total five cases filed on Mhadei including those from Karnataka and Maharashtra challenging the award.
Speaking to media persons on Monday, Sawant reiterated that the State government is serious on Mhadei issue and continuous review meetings are being held by Advocate General and his entire team. “I don’t think we need to disclose everything to the public,” he commented.
Sawant said that “evidence wise Goa’s cases are very strong before the Supreme Court. There are a total five cases coming up for hearing in the matter”. “There is absolutely no doubt that Goa will win the Mhadei case,” he added.
On the day of hearing, the Goa Government will have to produce on record the order of the State Chief Wildlife Warden restraining Karnataka from undertaking any construction work of its proposed project without obtaining permission under Section 29 of the Wild Life Protection Act.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam said that the legal and the technical team of Goa government will leave for Delhi on Tuesday. “The matter is listed on board for Wednesday and Thursday. We are fully geared up and prepared to argue the matter,” he said.
Goa has also filed contempt petition against Karnataka for carrying out construction for diversion of Mhadei river water to Malaprabha basin.
Last month, Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd (KNNL), based in Khanapur, floated the tender for completing the Kalasa project work within a year. According to the tender, the Karnataka government has taken the decision to dam and divert the waters of Kalasa, Surla, and Haltara nullahs that flow naturally into the Mhadei.
The Apex Court in its interim order, before, has restrained Karnataka from going ahead with any damming or construction work without obtaining all the necessary permissions.
