Editor, Goemkarponn
AERIAL VIEW
Pangam said that Karnataka cannot start any construction activity in Mhadei river basin without obtaining permissions from the Ministry of Environment and Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Karnataka does not have forest clearance or the clearance from the Chief Wildlife Warden as per the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and therefore they cannot go ahead with any construction activity, he said.
However, Pangam seems to have failed to understand that Karnataka has already diverted the water and question is not of diversion but restoring the original flow of the river.
Hence, only fighting to stop diversion will not help, legal team of Goa has to prove with facts that the water is already diverted and how the environment is being affected.
A research in the areas of Sattari and Ponda should help to prove the actual fact.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
The Mhadei diversion issue, which was the most talking point at the start of the year is back in news a good six months after the Karntaka elections, wherein the ruling BJP was dethroned by the Congress party.
The elections in North Karnataka constituencies in Belgaum, Hubli and Dharwad district was fought on the issue Mhadei and Congress was successful in getting majority of seats in these constiteuncies as the party assured to divert the water in Malaprabha basin for drinking purpose and irrigation.
Now six months after the elections are over, Supreme Court of India has finally listed Goa’s petition challenging the Mhadei award for hearing on Wednesday.
All three States party to the Mhadei dispute — Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra — have challenged the award of the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal.
The bone of contention is mainly between Goa and Karnataka over the latter being granted a share of the coveted river’s waters. It was adjourned couple of times in the past.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam claimed that the State government is fully prepared to argue its case in the Supreme Court, likely to commence from November 28.
Pangam said that Karnataka cannot start any construction activity in Mhadei river basin without obtaining permissions from the Ministry of Environment and Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Karnataka does not have forest clearance or the clearance from the Chief Wildlife Warden as per the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and therefore they cannot go ahead with any construction activity, he said.
However, Pangam seems to have failed to understand that Karnataka has already diverted the water and question is not of diversion but restoring the original flow of the river.
Hence, only fighting to stop diversion will not help, legal team of Goa has to prove with facts that the water is already diverted and how the environment is being affected.
A research in the areas of Sattari and Ponda should help to prove the actual fact.
Also, the question arises is will Goa government will go allout to save Mhadei water or it will play into the hands of political bosses in Delhi, who are using the issue to woo the voters from Goa and Karnataka.
The Goa Forward president Vijai Sardesai has called for a House Committee meeting on Mhadei to discuss the issue before the case comes up for hearing on Wednesday. So far there has been no reaction from either the Speaker of Goa legislative Assembly nor the Chief Minister.
Vijai Sardesai’s demand here may sound political but if looks at it in a positive manner it is in the interest of the State and the matter is of utmost importance for the State at the moment.
Also, the political class as well as people need to know how well prepared our legal team is to fight the case.
