PANJIM: Respecting the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) suggestion, the Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has agreed for out of court discussion with its neighbouring States - Karnataka and Maharashtra - for an amicable settlement to the water dispute issue; but not at the cost of State interest.
“Whatever the tribunal judge has opined, I have come to know from the media. I am not averse or against the views of tribunal as long as the State interest is not compromised,” Parsekar said, on Friday, responding to a question.
“I am ready to hold discussions with the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Let them say what they want. I have no problem with the amicable settlement but not at the cost of State interest. State interest will not be compromised,” CM maintained.
“I have to protect my State interest first,” he commented.
In a major development on Thursday the MWDT has opined that the three States -- Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra -- should attempt to arrive at an amicable settlement to the water dispute issue. The tribunal said that "in the spirit of brotherhood in a federal system", an amicable solution could be worked out.
Karnataka and Maharashtra are in legal battle with Goa over diversion of water from Mhadei basin. However, the coastal state has strongly objected to the diversion stating it will have environmental, ecological and human impact.
The Mhadei River runs through all three States, with Goa having largest geological area of 78 per cent, followed by 18 per cent in Karnataka and four per cent in Maharashtra. The river is a lifeline for Goa.
The tribunal had, in July, rejected Karnataka's plea seeking to use 7 tmc of water for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project. Their main petition for diversion of 56 TMC of water is still pending. Karnataka has already approached Supreme Court challenging the tribunal order. .
Herald Goa News
“Whatever the tribunal judge has opined, I have come to know from the media. I am not averse or against the views of tribunal as long as the State interest is not compromised,” Parsekar said, on Friday, responding to a question.
“I am ready to hold discussions with the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Let them say what they want. I have no problem with the amicable settlement but not at the cost of State interest. State interest will not be compromised,” CM maintained.
“I have to protect my State interest first,” he commented.
In a major development on Thursday the MWDT has opined that the three States -- Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra -- should attempt to arrive at an amicable settlement to the water dispute issue. The tribunal said that "in the spirit of brotherhood in a federal system", an amicable solution could be worked out.
Karnataka and Maharashtra are in legal battle with Goa over diversion of water from Mhadei basin. However, the coastal state has strongly objected to the diversion stating it will have environmental, ecological and human impact.
The Mhadei River runs through all three States, with Goa having largest geological area of 78 per cent, followed by 18 per cent in Karnataka and four per cent in Maharashtra. The river is a lifeline for Goa.
The tribunal had, in July, rejected Karnataka's plea seeking to use 7 tmc of water for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project. Their main petition for diversion of 56 TMC of water is still pending. Karnataka has already approached Supreme Court challenging the tribunal order. .
Herald Goa News
No comments:
Post a Comment