The mhadei tangle
Karnataka Minister for Water Resources M B Patil blames BJP-JDS coalition for hiccups in resolving the Mhadei dispute with Goa
Congress says BJP-JDS overlooked Goa's suggestion to have NIO prepare scientific report on inflow of Mhadei water in Arabian Sea
Former minister says report by scientist at Indian Institute of Science in Bangaluru further helped Goa prepare a stronger case before the Tribunal
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Heated debates in both Houses over Mhadei issue
Calls for action against those who prepared misleading reports
THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
Karnataka Minister for Water Resources M B Patil on Tuesday blamed the BJP-JDS coalition for hiccups in resolving the Mhadei dispute with Goa, as heated debates prevailed in both Houses on Tuesday during the ongoing session of the Karnataka State Legislature in Belagavi.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah will make his statement on the Mhadei dispute in both the Houses on Wednesday.
While the ruling Congress blamed former BJP-JDS combine in 2003 for the problem, the BJP-led opposition alleged unpardonable negligence by the ruling Congress party in resolving the Mhadei dispute.
“In 2003, Goa had suggested to Karnataka to seek a scientific report from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) on the inflow of Mhadei water in Arabian Sea. However, the coalition government had overlooked the suggestion as the cost involved for the same was too high, due to which a private agency was hired,” said Patil.
He added that avoiding NIO in carrying out the study and presenting a report had affected the merits of Karnataka in getting a favourable decision from the Tribunal.
On the other hand, former minister for water resources and senior BJP leader Basavraj Bommai questioned certain reports based on comments of a senior scientist at the Indian Institute of Science at Bangaluru.
“These reports had stated that Karnataka has its own resources, which is a blessing in disguise to Goa in strengthening its case with the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT). Action should be initiated against those involved in preparing these reports that are rather misleading,” Bommai said.
MLA Anand Mamani, who represents Saudatti constituency in the Malaprabha basin, said a certain report which claims that rainwater from catchment areas of River Malaprabha in Karnataka can solve the water scarcity in the Malaprabha basin was also false and misleading.
