PANAJI
The Supreme Court of India on Monday admitted Goa’s special leave petition (SLP) challenging the verdict of the Mahadayi Interstate Water Disputes Tribunal and posted the matter for hearing in November.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, confirmed the development via a tweet and claimed the decision was a “major boost” to Goa’s legal battle for the waters of the river that feeds more than 40% of Goa’s drinking water needs.
“A great start to the week for Goa and Goans. In a major boost to Goa’s legal battle for River Mhadei, the Supreme Court of India, today, admitted the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by [the] State of Goa challenging the award of the Mhadei tribunal. [The] Supreme Court now fixes the matter for hearing from 28th November 2023. The Supreme Court also asks the order of Wildlife Warden to be produced before it. Also grants time to file additional evidence within 4 weeks,” Sawant tweeted.
The move comes even as the new Congress government in Karnataka announced plans to go ahead with the diversion of the River after obtaining the necessary clearances and set aside budgetary allocation for the same.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had refused to grant a stay on the Central Water Commission’s approval given to Karnataka’s Detailed Project Report (DPR), instead pointing out that Karnataka cannot construct anything without obtaining all the required permissions.
Goa had sought a stay citing section 29 of the Wildlife Protection Act, which disallows the diversion of waters from a Wildlife Sanctuary unless specifically for the benefit of the wildlife of that sanctuary.
The Goa Chief Wildlife Warden has already issued a notice to Karnataka against diverting the waters, the copy of which the Supreme Court has asked to be placed before it.
