the goan I network
PANAJI
Stating that the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) has so far held 100 hearings in the matter as on December 1, 2017, WRD Minister Vinoda Paliencar said the quantum of fresh water in the Mhadei basin at 75 per cent dependability is 113.5 TMC and Goa’s share is yet to be decided by the tribunal.
He was answering questions by Ponda MLA Ravi Naik and related questions by MLAs Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and Wilfred D’Sa.
“Diversion of water from Mhadei basin by Karnataka and Maharashtra will have adverse effect on Goa,” said Paliencar.
When asked if any letter was issued to a third party -- the president of a political party of Karnataka -- Paliencar replied that the government had not issued any letter to a third party. “However, the chief minister had sent his reply to the Karnataka BJP state president,” he said.
Paliencar said the government’s decision was reflected in its legal stand before the Tribunal that no diversion should be permitted.
Meanwhile, replying to related queries raised by Reginaldo and D’Sa, the WRD minister said the MWDT was set up in 2012 and has, so far, held 100 hearings as on December 1, 2017.
Karnataka has constructed a 4.50 km interlinking canal and 2.70 km open canal on Mhadei.
Paliencar informed that Goa government has filed an Interlocutory Application on January 19 before the Tribunal as Karnataka had commenced the Kalsa diversion work and blocked the open channel by blocking the water from flowing to Goa in Kalasa nalla.
Responding to another query on steps initiated by the Government to stop the Kalsa diversion works, Paliencar said: “The government had filed an Original Suit in Supreme Court in 2006 for appointment of Tribunal as well as stoppage of works.”
“The Tribunal was then notified on the intervention of Supreme Court and Karnataka was directed in August 2008 not to divert or utilize the waters of Mhadei river during the pendency of the hearings. The Goa government then had filed Interlocutory application in 2012 on constitution of Mhadei Water Disputes
