Team Herald
PANJIM: In what could trigger further tension between the two States on the Mhadei water diversion row, Goa Water Resources Minister Vinod Palyekar has called State “habitual liars in the Mhadei case”, while also accusing them of paying witnesses to represent the State before Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT).
The Minister also said a contempt petition would be filed before the Supreme Court and also before the tribunal with photographic evidence of violations by Karnataka that had resumed work at Kalsa nullah despite assurance to the contrary before the courts.
The statement comes a day after Karnataka Irrigation Minister M B Patil said that Goa had falsely claimed that Karnataka had resumed work on Mhadei tributary at Kankumbi.
“Karnataka Minister says that they have not violated anything. Karnataka government has been habitual liars with regards to Mhadei issue,” Palyekar tweeted.
“If Karnataka minister feels that Goa and Goans are liars then it is they (Karnataka) who are habitual liars in this case since beginning and their witnesses are exposed by Goa before the tribunal,” Palyekar told media persons.
Palayekar said he had visited the site along with a team of engineers and it was quite visible that work on the canal was on and evidence was collected which would be produced before the tribunal. “We will file a contempt petition with photographic evidence,” the Minister said.
Escalating his attack, Palyekar further accused the neighbouring State of paying a witness to appear before tribunal to strengthen their case. “Goa never paid for its witnesses. Our witnesses worked keeping in mind #GoemGoenkarGoemkarponn in #Mahadayi matter,” the minister tweeted.
“Unlike Karnataka witness A K Gosain who had confessed in tribunal that he was paid 50k per day by Karnataka for being the witness and 5 lakhs to prepare report,” he further said.
The Minister uploaded on social media the Karnataka government letter to Gosain, appointing him as the State witness and the remuneration paid accordingly.
Last week, Karnataka had blocked the Mhadei tributary and resumed work at Kalsa nullah. This was confirmed by Goa, following site inspection by the WRD engineers and the Minister.
The government on Monday filed a 531 page summation of the case before the tribunal. The final arguments before the tribunal will commence on February 6.
