PANJIM: Amidst a fresh row over blatant violations of directives of the Mhadei Inter State Disputes Tribunal by Karnataka, the Goa government has warned the government of the neighbouring State not to play dirty politics and not to misuse the letter of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar written to Karnataka BJP Chief B S Yedurappa.
“His (Parrikar) letter is not a Court order. I have told the Karnataka government through their news media that they should not misuse this letter and should wait till the Tribunal delivers its verdict,” Water Resources Minister Vinod Palyekar said in Panjim, on his return after inspecting the site at Kalsa where Karnataka has resumed work on the canal.
Condemning the “dirty politics” of Karnataka, Palyekar has warned the State not to breach the court directives. “Mhadei is our identity and we will not allow Karnataka to destroy our identity. I have warned the State (Karnataka) not to play dirty politics with Goa, not to violate the court orders. Goa government will not tolerate,” he said.
The minister stated that a team of WRD officials will monitor the situation at Kalsa canal every week while also evidence of the violation has been recorded by the Goa team to submit to the Tribunal during the next hearing slated on February 6.
“The complete contempt by Karnataka comes at the time when Goa’s case is strong. Nevertheless, we have collected evidence of their violation which will be submitted to the Tribunal. We will fight till the end,” Palyekar stated, adding that the “full-fledged” work at Kalsa canal has nearly diverted the river water to Karnataka, which was otherwise flowing into Goa’s territory. “We have got the work stopped but our team will continuously monitor the situation there,” he added.
The minister is expected to once again call on the Chief Minister to update on the issue and decide the further course of action. On Friday, Palyekar held an emergency meeting with the district administration followed by a letter to the Belgaum Collector asking him to stop the work at Kalsa canal.
Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma has also written to his counterpart asking the Karnataka government to stop the work immediately.
Parrikar has been repeatedly asking critics and Karnataka not to speculate that his letter to Yedurappa means that Goa has agreed to share the Mhadei river water with the neighbouring state.
“When I am ready to talk (referring to his letter to Yedurappa) everyone formed opinion that I am giving water. Don’t speculate,” he has been quoted as saying.
