BELAGAVI
Battling the neighbouring States of Goa, Maharashtra and Telangana over the water sharing issues, the Karnataka government will ask the Centre to issue forest clearances which are causing obstacle in implementing the irrigation and drinking water projects.
Karnataka Minister for Water Resources Ramesh Jarkiholi who held a high-level meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday said he would lead a Karnataka delegation to New Delhi to urge the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to issue clearances to implement the irrigation and drinking water projects like Makedettu and Mhadei as per the order issued by the tribunals.
Jarkiholi said the Karnataka delegation would also meet Union Jalashakti Minster Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to persuade him for clearances for Kalsa-Bhandura water diversion project.
“We will be in New Delhi later this week in this regard seeking clearances for the water sharing projects being implemented by the state,” he said during the meeting that was attended by senior officials in presence of Karnataka’s Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Coal Pralhad Joshi said the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT) has already shared Mahadayi water between the stakeholders.
“The contempt petition filed by Goa government against Karnataka in the Supreme Court with regard to Mhadei water diversion project would not make any difference, as the MWDT has already issued its final award with regard to sharing of water between Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
A few days ago, Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi had objected to the Telangana government's demand for a new KWDT and said the tribunal had already given its final award granting Karnataka, Maharashtra and erstwhile Andhra Pradesh their share of water.
He claimed it was unfair of the Telangana government to create a fresh controversy on this count.
