PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said, Goa's basic opposition of diversion of the river's water outside the Mhadei basin will continue unhindered even as he said his Cabinet has resolved to approach the Centre with a demand to withdraw that consent given to the Karnataka government for two Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) at Kalasa and Bhandura.
Sawant said Goa's fight in the Mhadei dispute will continue through the Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court of India, which is tentatively slated to come up for the next hearing on January 5 according to the Apex Court's website.
The chief minister was addressing the media flanked by nine other ministers after a Cabinet meeting which exclusively deliberated on the Mhadei strategy in the wake of the recent development where Karnataka secured clearance from the Central Water Commission for its projects to divert water at Kalasa and Bhandura.
"Goa will continue to fight the battle against diversion of Mhadei river waters by Karnataka," Sawant said, adding that he and WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar will shortly visit Delhi to formally demand the revocation of the consent to Karnataka's DPRs.
The Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT), has awarded 13-odd TMC of Mhadei river water to Karnataka, including 3.9 TMC for diversion at Kalasa and Bhandura. The State government has challenged the award as did Karnataka and the third riparian State Maharashtra before the Supreme Court which is pending.
In another resolution, the Sawant-led cabinet on Monday also decided to officially serve notices to Karnataka under Wildlife Protection Act, against statue violation with diversion of water from the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
Sawant said the notices will be sent by the prescribed authority under the Wildlife Protection Act at the earliest.
It has also decided to press with the Centre for the constitution of the Water Management Authority prescribed by the MWDT award of August 14, 2018, Sawant said, which will keep a check on the illegal diversion of water and other work being carried out by Karnataka in the basin.
He said, the State government will make efforts to meet the Prime Minister, Home Minister and also Union Jal Shakti Minister to put forth all these aspects of the Mhadei dispute and the State's demands in that regard.
According to Sawant, the WMA will comprise of a representatives each of the three riparian States -- Goa, Maharahstra and Karnataka -- besides three representatives of the Central government.
"As of now, we cannot technically visit and inspect the sites where Karnataka is carrying out any work. After the WMA is set up, this will not be a problem and inspections and checks will have to be permitted," Sawant said.
He added that no physical work is going on in the Karnataka side and only surveying work has been done.
