PANAJI
Karnataka on Saturday officially sent Goa the original copy of the detailed project reports (DPRs) of its dam projects at Kalsa and Bhandura approved by the Central Water Commission and the trigger for the current upheaval related to the water dispute between the two neighbours.
Goa's Advocate General Devidas Pangam, who is coordinating the legal fight in the Supreme Court said the Goa government will now study the DPRs minutely and file objections before the CWC.
SC had directed Karnataka to provide the DPRs at the last hearing of Goa's Interlocutory Application in the pending matter of the challenge to the final award of the Mahadayi Warer Dispute Tribunal (MWDT) held earlier this month.
The Mhadei dispute erupted again and has muddied Goa's political waters ever since news broke of the CWC nod to the Kalasa-Bhandura project DPRs meant to divert the river waters to the Malaprabha basin in terms of the MWDT.
The opposition Congress, AAP, Goa Forward Party and Revolutionary Goans have all accused the BJP Governments in Goa, Karnataka and at the Centre of attempting to electorally milk the Mhadei conundrum.
The Opposition and civil society organisations have repeatedly pinned the Pramod Sawant-led government of betraying Goa's interests for the BJP's electoral gain in Karnataka where polls are likely by May-June.
The continuous pressure from the Opposition and growing public opinion prompted the government to file the Interlocutory Application before the Apex Court.
It also prompted the government to unanimously pass a House resolution demanding withdrawal of the CWC nod to the DPRs.
Meanwhile, Sawant at a public function in his home constituency of Sanquelim hit out at the Opposition parties accusing them of playing politics over the issue even as he asserted that Goa will win the legal battle for Mhadei.
He also lashed out at the Opposition saying they were misguiding the people.
“I assure the people of Goa that we will win the Mhadei water dispute case," Sawant said in a speech.
The Opposition is playing politics on the critical issue of Mhadei, he added.
He repeated his claim that the Union Cabinet nod for PRAWAH - the Tribunal mandated Mhadei water management authority, will help prevent rogue diversion of Mhadei's waters by Karnataka.
He also claimed it (PRAWAH) reaffirms that no injustice to Goa will be permitted by the Centre.
"Goa has a legally strong case in the Mhadei fight and soon you will see the results," Sawant added
Goa, Karnataka and the third Mhadei riparian State of Maharashtra have all challenged the MWDT final award of August 2018 and are battling it out in SC.
