Panaji, Jul 22 (PTI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday informed the legislative assembly that the state government will file a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against Karnataka for carrying out activities that are aimed at diverting the Mhadei river water.
The CM also accused the neighbouring state of being involved in activities aimed at diverting the river water.
The two adjoining coastal states are embroiled in a dispute over sharing the Mhadei river water. The BJP-ruled Goa has accused the Congress-governed Karnataka of planning to divert the river water by constructing two dams.
The Mhadei river originates in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, and flows through Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra as it empties into the Arabian Sea at Panaji in Goa.
The Centre had set up a tribunal which decided on sharing the river water between the three riparian states — Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Goa and Karnataka along with Maharashtra have appealed against the tribunal’s order on sharing water by the three states in the Supreme Court, and the matter is sub-judice.
Opposition MLAs in the Goa assembly on Tuesday cornered the Pramod Sawant government in the House over its failure to stop Karnataka from conducting illegal activities.
Raising the issue, independent MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco sought to know the progress of the case pending before the apex court against the verdict of the tribunal on the share of Mhadei river water.
Speaking on the issue, Sawant said Karnataka has been actively involved in activities aimed at diverting the Mhadei river water.
“We cannot stop their activities as they are happening in their jurisdiction. But the Goa government has taken every step to counter their attempts to divert the Mhadei water,” he said.
The chief minister added that he had personally met Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav over the issue.
“I have discussed the matter and the Union ministry (has assured that it) will not give any permission to Karnataka to conduct any such activities,” he said.
“The state will file a contempt petition against Karnataka before the Supreme Court in the matter,” the CM added.
State Water Resources Department Minister Subhash Shirodkar said the state government has been monitoring the activities of Karnataka.
The opposition benches, including Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA Vijai Sardesai, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Venzy Viegas and others participated in the discussion. PTI RPS NP
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.