PANJIM: Karnataka Irrigation Minister MB Patil on Monday countered Goa government’s allegation that the neighbouring State has resumed work on the diversion project of the Kalsa nullah at Kankumbi, claiming it to be “false” and “baseless” and threatened to expose the same before the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal.
Patil, along with several farmers visited Kankumbi on Monday morning, where farmers destroyed the effigies of Goa Water Resources Minister Vinod Palyekar. Karnataka district in-charge Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, Chief Whip Ashok Pattan, Irrigation Department officials were also present.
“Patil countered all the claims of the Goa government. He said that the allegations made by Palyekar are baseless and are all lies and that Karnataka has not resumed any work,” environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar told Herald quoting Patil.
Kerkar was present when Patil visited the site, keeping a watch whether Karnataka was resuming work. “Patil said that Karnataka needs water for drinking purpose in its drought prone areas. Malaprabha is a deficit basin and Mhadei is a surplus basin,” he said.
Kerkar said that Patil has assured the farmers present there that the lies of the Goa government would be exposed before the Tribunal.
