ponda: Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar on Thursday said that the State government has decided to raise the issue of ongoing work by Karnataka to divert Mhadei waters before the PRAWAH, which is currently overseeing the matter.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “We have brought it to the notice of the PRAWAH Committee and urged it to conduct a joint inspection. After getting the report, if required, I will discuss with the Advocate General and will file a contempt of court. Already we have filed two contempt of court applications. This would be the third one. Because of the conduct of the Karnataka our case is getting strong.”
Shirodkar said that two days ago he received information that Karnataka WRD has started trenching work at upstream for Mhadei river diversion and immediately on Thursday morning, a WRD team was sent to Karnataka for inspection.
Recently, the Opposition had slammed the State government over the reports that Karnataka had resumed work to divert Mhadei river water.
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao on Wednesday had demanded that the meeting of House Committee be called immediately.
“The House Committee is dormant. It is only a jumla. We have said that nothing has been done for the sake of Mhadei. We have raised this, several times in the Assembly. That is the platform for the MLAs to raise the issue and have a debate. We have said time and again that the water is being diverted. Why is the Chief Minister silent?” Yuri said.
The PRAWAH had held its first meeting in February this year under the chairmanship of P M Scott.
After the meeting, Scott had said that Mhadei Water Authority will deliberate and settle issues regarding sustainable and equitable utilisation of water of Mhadei river basin.
The Authority will work for harmonious use of water of Mhadei for welfare of people of all three States, he had said.
Last year, the Ministry of Jal Shakti had notified the Mhadei PRAWAH or the Mhadei Water Management Authority to ensure fair distribution of water of the Mhadei river basin by the three riparian States.
