Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: In a major relief to the Goa Government, the Supreme Court of India has agreed to an early hearing in the IA filed by Goa seeking to restrain Karnataka from going ahead with the Kalasa Bhandura water diversion project in view of DPR approved by CWC.
“Today, we mentioned before the Chief Justice case on Mhadei be heard early; that is, we asked for an urgent hearing. The Chief Justice has now said that the case will be listed early. He has accepted our request,” said AG Devidas Pangam.
He further informed that they have pleaded for an early hearing that is next week or even before that.
“By today evening, the date for the hearing might be updated on the Supreme Court of India website,” he informed.
The state government also submitted additional documents before the Supreme Court in the Mhadei matter.
Sources said that the state government filed additional documents as regards the DPR and conduct of the Karnataka government.
Also, today, the state requested the apex court for an early hearing on the interim relief application and the request was fulfilled by the Supreme Court.
The Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change had written to the Karnataka government on January 5, 2023, seeking details from it about mitigation measures for forests and wild animals on account of the Kalasa-Banduri project.
“We feel this is a positive step from the MoEF, which has questioned the Karnataka government,” Pangam said.
In its letter to Karnataka’s additional chief secretary of forest and ecology, the Union ministry said, “Since the project area is close to the wildlife sanctuary and eco-sensitive zone, specific recommendation and mitigation measures from chief wildlife warden of Karnataka forest department may be provided.”
The state government has written to the MoEF, the Central Water Commission and all authorities at the Centre that clearances cannot be given to Karnataka to go ahead with the Kalasa-Banduri project on two counts.
Firstly, water cannot be diverted within wildlife sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act, and secondly, Karnataka has made a statement in the Supreme Court that it will not go ahead with the work till the SC gives its verdict in the matter, informed the Advocate General.
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