Team Herald
PANJIM: Karnataka witness before Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT), AK Bajaj, on Wednesday told the tribunal that he had instructed his State not to go ahead with the construction work of any of its projects till the environmental studies are conducted.
When the hearings resumed before the tribunal, Goa represented by Additional Solicitor General of India Atmaram Nadkarni extensively cross examined the witness throughout the day. While the witness told the tribunal that he had advised Karnataka not to proceed with the construction until they carry out the necessary environmental studies and obtain the requisite permissions in terms of the law applicable, he was not able to substantiate or produce any evidence of this, which invited the ire of the tribunal.
When the witness was asked why he had not taken this into consideration, the witness gave evasive answers and sought to rely upon the already superceded National Water Policy of 2002.
The Tribunal observed that witness was giving very evasive and general answers and not answering the questions either posed by the Tribunal or posed by Goa.
The witness was also cross examined on several matters, including the calculation in his report on the availability of water in the river basin. The cross examination will continue on Thursday.
