Digital Goa, Jan 2- State cabinet today deliberated on strategy to fight the battle against diversion of river Mhadei by Karnataka. Several decisions were taken in the cabinet meeting held today in this regards.
▪️ *Goa to continue fighting Mhadei battle in Supreme Court; next date of hearing on Jan 5*
The cabinet resolved to continue fighting the battle in the Supreme Court against out of the basin diversion of river Mhadei. 3.9 TMC of water has been awarded by the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal to Karnataka. The award has been challenged by Goa, Karnataka as well as Maharashtra for various state specific reasons. Supreme Court has posted the matter for next hearing on Jan 5.
▪️ *Demand revoking of approval for DPR at the earliest*
Goa govt will demand revoking of the Central Water Commission’s approval for Karnataka’s DPR at the earliest
▪️ *Notices to be served to Karnataka under Wildlife Protection Act*
Notices will be issued to Karnataka pointing out that water from the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary cannot be diverted as per provisions of Wildlife Protection Act
▪️ *Petition center over speedy formation of Water Management Authority*
Goa will press for formation of Water Management Authority(WMA) by the center at the earliest to keep a check on illegal diversion of water and other works done by Karnataka. Center will be asked to formulate the WMA committee within next 8 to 10 days. Goa govt will meet Prime Minister, Home Minister and Union Jal Shakti Ministry in this regards. The WMA will comprise of representatives from each of the 3 riparian states i.e. Goa, Maharahstra and Karnataka and 3 Central Govt Representatives. Correspondence in this regards has been going on with the center for the past 6 months, informed CM Sawant. He said once WMA is formed, all DPRs also will have to be routed through WMA keeping a check over any illegalities. CM Sawant opined that formation of WMA will help in keeping a control over the destruction being carried out by Karnataka for the past 20 to 25 years. “They do not even permit us to do inspection,” said CM. Once WMA is constituted, such inspections and checks will have to be permitted, he opined. “No diversion work is going on for now. Karnataka has done only survey work in the last two-and-half years in the area,” CM claimed.
▪️ *State to demand copy of DPR submitted by Karnataka*
Union Jal Shakti Ministry will be asked for copy of the DPR submitted by Karnataka that has been approved by Central Water Commission.
▪️ *Legislative party delegation to meet PM, HM and Union Jal Shakti Minister*
A Legislative party delegation will meet Prime Minister, Home Minister and Union Jal Shakti Minister in Delhi urging them to prevent the diversion of Mhadei.
Goa govt has decided on the strategy to oppose the diversion legally and technically. The Mhadei team comprising of legal and technical experts is constantly following up the issue, added CM.
