PANJIM, JULY 26
Water Resources Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues on Monday informed the House that the Supreme Court has set a time of six weeks for the formation of the Water Dispute Tribunal to solve the water-diversion issue between Goa and Karnataka.
Replying to a calling attention motion by Fatorda MLA Damu Naik on the sixth day of the Monsoon Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Neri said the apex court will recommend three persons – President and two members –for the tribunal and these names will have to be approved by the Government of India.
Neri further informed that the Government of India has already approved the formation of the tribunal for Mhadei and it was waiting for the names to be recommended by the SC. These names will be chosen from among persons having integrity, he stated.
He informed that the next hearing on the issue was slated to be held today (July 26). The State Government is committed to protecting the interests of Goa and will oppose and stall any moves by Karnataka to divert the waters of Mhadei to Malaprabha or any other basin, he mentioned in reply to the calling attention motion.
Neri further stated efforts are being made and will be made to place the grievances arising here before appropriate authorities like the apex court, the tribunal or Central Government to protect the interests, resources and environment of Goa.
In his calling attention motion, Damu Naik cited newspaper reports of the completion of the Kalsa Bhandura dam indicating Karnataka’s refusal to toe SC orders. He called for keeping personal differences aside because the issue was directly affecting the State.
The MLA said for the last four to five years the issue has been cropping up in the Assembly and the same will come up again. Nothing is happening here, he mentioned and asked Neri to go and make a noise in Delhi and if possible get arrested. We are all ready to come and support you, he stated.
