Team Herald
PANJIM: A day after Supreme Court (SC) allowed the Centre to notify the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT) award, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the State will seek a stay on the order in the Apex court.
While stating that the State has not lost the battle on Mhadei, Sawant though had no answer, as to why the State did not oppose Karnataka’s plea for notification of the award.
“Karnataka asked SC for the award to be notified, which is yet to be notified. This does not mean Karnataka has won. Let me assure the people, we are not compromising on Mhadei, we are firm not to allow any diversion of Mhadei water,” Sawant told reporters on Friday.
When pointed out that the SC hearing on Goa’s appeal will come nearly after five months, he said that though the SC decision will come in July – even then it will be difficult for Karnataka to start work as the award has to be notified. Besides, there are several permissions required for drinking water etc which will take time, he added further.
“We are seeking opinion of legal experts. We will firmly oppose the move in SC. In the next three days, we will seek a stay in the SC on the order,” he said.
However, he said that the State will have to respect the SC decision when it comes in July.
On why the State did not oppose the Karnataka plea in SC on Thursday, he said the State will oppose it now. “Notification is a routine process,” he replied.
Asked about the status of contempt petition, he said, “We will bring to the notice of SC that despite it being disputed matter, Karnataka has diverted water. We will expose Karnataka and I firmly believe that the order will be in our favour”.
He asked his opponents not to demoralise those fighting for the Mhadei cause day and night.
“The opposition should be with the government at this time but they have chosen otherwise,” he said.
State BJP leader Narendra Sawaikar also refuted claims that Goa has lost the Mhadei case by saying that the Opposition is jumping the gun on the issue. “Notification of the award is a part of the procedure, which has been adopted by SC. But that does not mean, Karnataka has won and Goa has lost,” he said, while adding that commenting on the issue can be made only after SC gives its final verdict. Sawaikar added that in the meantime, the contempt petition filed by Goa govt against Karnataka for going ahead with the work on the project will be heard by the SC.
