PANJIM: Water Resources Minister Vinod Paliencar, along with WRD officials, on Thursday met Additional Solicitor General of India, Atamaram Nadkarni, after which he expressed confidence in the team fighting the case in the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal.
He said the case in the tribunal is on and the revised statement of claims (SoCs) has been filed by all three States, so to the replies on SoCs and the rejoinders.
“The cross examination of expert witness of Goa, Chetan Pandit, ex-Member, Central Water Commission has been completed by Karnataka, Maharashtra and the Tribunal. The expert witness of Karnataka is in the box for cross by Goa and Maharashtra which will be followed by expert witness of Maharashtra. This will be followed of filing of affidavits of expert witnesses in Environment, Forests, and Fisheries,” he said.
Giving a background, he said that Karnataka has been attempting to divert the waters of River Mhadei including the tributaries like Dudhsagar and Nanode Rivers to either the Malaprabha River or the Supa reservoir on one pretext or the other.
“Considering the various attempts made by Karnataka, Goa had asked for appointment of a Tribunal as per Interstate Water Disputes Act, 1956. Karnataka on October 2, 2006 started work on diversion of Kalsa-Bandura nallah and Goa had no option but to approach the Apex Court for relief. The Supreme Court came down heavily on the Central Government and Ministry of Water Resources, GoI notified the Tribunal in 2010-11. Karnataka was carrying on the works and Goa filed an Interlocutory application in the Tribunal in 2012 asking for stay on the works,” he said.
