PANJIM: The nexus between the States of Karnataka and Maharashtra stood exposed on Tuesday before the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal ( MWDT), when the Maharashtra counsel declined to cross examine the former’s witness over the Mhadei water diversion case.
In yet another instance, the Karnataka witness was clueless about the usage of water that is proposed for diversion from Mhadei river basin.
When cross examination resumed Tuesday morning, Goa, through Additional Solicitor General Atmaram Nadkarni, extensively grilled Bajaj on the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) study regarding interlinking of rivers. The witness, in his evidence, had stated that the Mhadei to Malaprabha or Kali diversion is on account of the inter linking of rivers.
The witness was asked as to whether the Mhadei-Malaprabha or the Mhadei-Kali link-feature in the projects prepared by the NWDA for interlinking of rivers. To which he answered saying the NWDA project dealt with only major links and was not concerned with minor links.
Thereafter, the Tribunal asked the witness as to what quantity of water diverted would be used for drinking and other purposes. The witness had no answer and admitted that he was not aware.
Tuesday’s hearing and cross examination exposed the witness and his haphazardly prepared central water commission report which is one sided and prepared solely to support Karnataka.
After the cross examination by the Tribunal concludes the witness for Maharashtra Huddar would begin.
