BELAGAVI
Contending that Progressive River Authority for Water and Harmony (PRAWAH) team was formed by the Centre at the behest of Goa government, Kannada organisations in Belagavi and North Karnataka region have requested the Karnataka government to prevent the PRAWAH visit to the controversial Kalsa-Bhandura water diversion project sites on July 7.
According to the associations, there is absolutely no need of this visit and survey when the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT) has already pronounced its award and the Supreme Court subsequently issuing orders for sharing of water as per the tribunal's order.
“Visit of PRAWAH to the Mhadei basin is a part of conspiracy hatched by Goa and contempt of Supreme Court. After going through all aspects of water sharing between Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra, the Apex court has given its green signal for gazette notification publication on Feb 20,2020. PRAWAH should not visit the Mhadei basin,” noted Kannada activist Ashok Chandargi said.
“It is at the behest of Government of Goa that it (PRAWAH team) is visiting the site on July 7. Goa is intending to stall the implementation of the (Kalsa-Bhandura) project on one excuse or the other. I have written a strong letter to Karnataka Chief Minister, Dy CM and the Chief Secretary in this regard,” Chandargi, who is also the president of the Belagavi Dist Kannada Organisations, told The Goan.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Dy CM & Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar and officials concerned should bring the actual state of things with regard to the Mhadei water diversion project to the notice of PRAWAH on July 8 meeting at Bengaluru, Chandargi added.
“As Karnataka is waiting for the wildlife and environmental clearances, it is high time for Karnataka authorities to initiate an all out effort to obtain the same,” Chandargi said.
Meanwhile, sources said Karnataka Chief Secretary Rajneesh Goel has forwarded Chandargi’s letter to the water resources department, directing appropriate action.
