PANJIM: Days after Union Minister and BJP Karnataka MP Pralhad Joshi suggested that Karnataka and Goa should go for negotiable settlement on the Mhadei water diversion issue, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ruled out any such negotiations or out of court settlement.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddiyurappa has already announced his plan to meet his Goa counterpart on the issue. Speaking to media persons at the sidelines of a function in Amona, Sawant said, “Goa government’s stand on the Mhadei issue is firm that we will not allow any diversion of water by Karnataka and that is the reason why we have challenged Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT) award in the Supreme Court.” “There is no issue of out of court settlement or negotiations. The matter is being heard by the court,” Chief Minister said.
On August 14, 2018, the Mhadei Water Dispute tribunal (MWDT) which was hearing a dispute between Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra, for nearly two decades, over sharing of water from the Mhadei River, in its award had allotted 13.42 TMC (including 3.9 TMC for diversion into the depleted Malaprabha River basin) from the Mhadei River basin to Karnataka. Maharashtra has been allotted 1.33 TMC.
Both Goa and Karnataka have filed petitions in Supreme Court challenging the tribunal award.
On Monday, claiming that Goa and Karnataka are “unhappy” with tribunal award on the inter-state water diversion matter, Joshi, who was in Goa said he feels that both the States should resort to “negotiated settlement” on the contentious issue. He said that he has requested both Karnataka and Goa Chief Ministers to sit, talk and settle the issue.
The opposition Congress has strongly opposed any move for out of court settlement stating that when the tribunal has passed the award and when matter is being heard by Supreme Court, there is no scope left for negotiable settlement.
Responding to question on tiger sighting at Cotigao wildlife sanctuary, Sawant said he would review the situation after people residing near the Sanctuary reported tiger sightings in the area.
