Karnataka on Tuesday refuted the claims of Goa Government that Karnataka has started underwater canal on Kalasa—Banduri watershed project. In an interaction with the media representatives in Bengaluru Chief Minister Siddaramaiah refuted Goa Assembly Deputy Speaker Michael lobo’s claim that an underwater canal has already been built by the state to divert Mahadayi river water. Siddaramaiah slammed the statement and said Karnataka has not violated anything against the order of the tribunal or the courts. He said “ we have not done anything illegal on the project in the river basin.”
He slammed the clandestine visit of the Goa delegation to the Kalasa—Banduri project two days ago to inspect the project in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district.
“It was for the Mahadayi River Water Tribunal to see and decide if there was any truth in lobo’s allegations,” he added.
lobo along with Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant had visited Kanakumbi area in Khanapur without informing the Karnataka government two days ago and later he had told the media in Goa that the riparian state was already diverting water from Mahadayi tributary into Malaprabha river basin.
“I condemn the statements of the Goa representatives over Mahadayi issue,” Siddaramaiah said. The CM said it was unfortunate that it has become a business for Goa politicians to raise unfounded claims and make allegations against Karnataka over the Mahadayi river water sharing issue.
“We are asking for our share of water. Karnataka is producing 45 tmc ft of water in this river while over 200 tmc ft of water ultimately flow waste into the Arabian Sea. They had come to Karnataka clandestinely to inspect the unfinished project. Had they informed their visit beforehand we would have provided them a safe and comfortable tour of the project. If persons of such high standing in a State Assembly behave in such manner giving such unscheduled visits to a neighbouring State, it will be wrong on their part and against the federal set up of the country,” he said.
Siddaramaiah reiterated that Karnataka Government had not deviated from the original project nor there was any work undergoing at present. ‘The State always believed in honouring the law and honour the spirit as per the Constitution’ he added.
Mahadayi water sharing for drinking water purposes through Kalasa-Banduri two of its tributaries to the parched
five districts of north Karnataka has become a major election issue for both the ruling congress and the Opposition BJP. The farmers and activists in that area are agitating for more than a year to get the drinking water from the tributaries which were objected to by the BJP Government in Goa.
The tribunal has asked the three riparian states of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra chief ministers to resolve the issue amicably.
Meanwhile in another development Siddaramaiah government has to face the pressure from Tamil Nadu which is seeking water release from Cauvery basin. According to secretariat sources the Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has sought an appointment with his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah to seek water release from Cauvery basin to save samba crop. A letter seeking appointment has been sent to chief minister and he will be bringing a delegation.
The water wars in Karnataka have become a major poll issue and the ruling congress and opposition BJP have to face the consequence of the water wars.
