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In its final verdict, the Mahadayi River Water Tribunal has allocated Karnataka 13.5 tmc of water from the river.
In a guarded reaction to the verdict, the State government said it has only got partial relief and is exploring the option of filing for a ‘reference for explanation or guidance’ before the Tribunal.
The Tribunal has allocated 5.5 tmc, including use of 1.5 tmc, for use within the Mahadayi river basin and 4 tmc for diversion to th Malaprabha reservoir to meet the drinking water needs of three districts – Belagavi, Dharwad and Gadag. The tribunal has also permitted Karnataka to produce power at the Mahadayi hydro electric project using 8.02 tmc.
Advocate for Karnataka Mohan Katarki said: “We have succeeded partly with regard to the pressing needs in Karnataka. After holding that the total water in the Mahadayi basin is 188.06 tmc, the Tribunal should have considered allocating more water.”
He said “We will go into the report which is in 12 volumes and after making an in-depth study, we will decide on the next course of action of either appealing before the Supreme Court and or of filing a ‘reference for explanation or guidance’ before the Tribunal.”
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara said that “We had asked for 36.4 tmc but we have got only 13.5 tmc... We would have been happy if 11 tmc more was allotted. Now, we will discuss this in the government and take a decision on the next course of action.”
Political slugfest
In May, the Mahadayi issue had dominated the Karnataka Assembly elections in the Mumbai-Karnataka region, with a 51 constituencies. The BJP, in the run-up, had tried to use the issue as its trump card, claiming that it had convinced Goa for negotiation, but it backfired badly as it did not involve the State government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi even broke his silence and raked up the Mahadayi issue while campaigning in Gadag.
The Congress, as part of its strategy, had urged the Prime Minister to convene a meeting of the three States. Then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written to the Centre urging Modi to convene a meeting of Karnataka, Goa and Maharastra.
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