the goan I network
PANAJI
The Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal on Thursday adjourned the hearing of the contempt petition filed by the Goa government against Karnataka for violation of its interim orders and decided to await the outcome of a similar petition pending in the Supreme Court.
Noted environmental activist Rajendra Kerkar told The Goan that the State’s arguments in the proceedings before the Tribunal were weak and demanded that the State government urgently apply its mind to the issue in both the matters.
Goa’s contempt petition against Karnataka was filed under Order 39 Rule 2A of Civil Procedure Code, for disobedience and contempt. It was listed before the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal.
Goa had contended that acts carried out by Karnataka violated the Tribunal’s interim orders granting injunction and prohibiting diversion of waters through canals. However, Karnataka also filed a substantive contempt petition before Supreme Court on the same grounds.
Karnataka government’s counsel, Srikant Patil, meanwhile, argued before the Tribunal that it should not hold any hearings until the proceedings before the Supreme Court conclude. Patil’s argument did hold water with the Tribunal which on Thursday adjourned the matter.
Interestingly, the Union of India has also filed an application seeking clarification under Section 5(3) of the Inter State Water Disputes Act before Mahadayi Tribunal, a move which is suspected to be favouring the contentions of Karnataka in the dispute.
The Goa government was represented by senior counsel Atmaram Nadkarni, Goa Advocate General Dattaprasad Lawande, additional government advocate Salvador Santosh Rebello and Ashish Krishnanath Kuncoliencar.
The Tribunal’s decision to adjourn the hearing, meanwhile could prove detrimental to Goa’s interests and the State government should take serious steps to beef up its legal strategy, Kerkar said.
Shrikant Patil, who is holding charge as Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department, WRD executive engineer Gopinat Dessai and other officials also attended the hearing.
