We are firm on our decisions, he says

Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the state government is firm in fighting the Mhadei battle legally, technically and politically.

The statement of Sawant came in the wake of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai maintaining on Monday that the resolution passed by the Goa legislative assembly opposing diversion of water from the Mhadei basin to the Malprabha would not impact his government’s plan on the Kalasa-Banduri project.

When media persons sought response on the Bommai’s statement, Sawant said, “Let anybody say anything on the Mhadei issue. We are firm on our decisions. We are firm on our decisions that Goa will fight the Mhadei battle legally, technically and politically.”

The state legislative assembly passed the resolution unanimously in the recently concluded winter session strongly opposing diversion of water outside the Mhadei basin.

Political leaders in the poll-bound Karnataka are trying to drive mileage on the Mhadei tangle after the Central Water Commission granted its approval to the detailed project report (DPR) for the project.

It is pertinent to note that a delegation of the state government led by Sawant recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat urging them to withdraw the DPR approval.

The Kalasa-Banduri project is aimed at providing drinking water to major north Karnataka districts, Karnataka has claimed.

Bommai maintained that the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal, which is formed to look into the issue, has given an order and also issued a notification. The order of the tribunal is equal to the Supreme Court order.

“Based on the order of the tribunal, we have begun the work legally. The decision by the Goa assembly will not have any impact. The detailed project report of the Kalasa-Banduri project has been approved. As soon as the forest clearance is obtained, the tender will be called,” the Karnataka Chief Minister said.