The Mahadayi verdict has evoked mixed feelings among farmers and activists of the Malaprabha Command Area.
Among the farmers of the Malaprabha Command Area, particularly those who are on an indefinite agitation for over three years at Naragund, the epicentre of Mahadayi agitation, not everyone is happy about the quantum of water allocated to the State.
But there were celebrations too in all places, which have hitherto witnessed violent protests over the Mahadayi row. Farmers and members of Kannada organisations burst crackers, distributed sweets, and shouted slogans after hearing about the verdict.
Most of them termed the verdict as “initial victory” and said the fight for justice would continue. Cutting across party lines, political leaders said that while the State had tasted initial success, it should approach the Supreme Court for further increase in its share.
In Hubballi, former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar welcomed the verdict as “satisfactory” but said Karnataka should have got more water. He urged Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to convene an all-party meeting to chalk out the next plan.
Former Minister H.K. Patil, who as Irrigation Minister in 2002 was instrumental in initiating the Kalasa Banduri Nala project, termed the verdict as a “moral victory” for Karnataka as the tribunal had upheld Karnataka’s contention about the availability of water in the Mahadayi Basin.
He, however, said that injustice had been done to Karnataka. Technically, the tribunal had allocated just 5.5 tmcft of water to the State as 8.02 tmcft allocated was meant for the hydel project, he said. He also said that despite admitting that Karnataka’s share was 32.11 tmcft, the tribunal had awarded just 5.5 tmcft.