Karnataka mulls filing appeal in SC against Mahadayi verdict

Bengaluru, Aug 16: Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy is likely to convene an all-party meeting soon to discuss the next course of action on the Mahadayitribunal verdict. The Karnataka government is open to all options, including filing an appeal in the Supreme Court.

The Mahadayi tribunal headed by Justice JM Panchal on Tuesday granted Karnataka 13.4tmcft of water against its claims of 36.5tmcft. This includes 8.02tmcft for hydel power generation. Also, while the state sought 7.5tmcft of water for drinking, it was allotted 3.9tmcft.

A senior official of the water resources department said the government has two options — file an appeal before the tribunal seeking a review or go against the verdict in the Supreme Court. The official said the state government has an open mind and would explore all options available to it.

Govt will fight for more water: DKS

While the state government and farmers of Malaprabha basin have expressed happiness over the verdict for establishing Karnataka’s right over Mahadayi river water by way of awarding 13.5tmcft of water, a widespread feeling that the state could have a bigger share considering the

fact that Karnataka contribution to 188tmcft of total yield of Mahadayi river stands at 32tmcft.

Echoing similar views in Ballari, state water resources minister DK Shivakumar said the government will continue its legal fight to get more water from Mahadayi. “Many of our ministers have expressed satisfaction over the tribunal’s verdict. But as a water resources minister, I am not ready to forgo even a drop of water from Karntaka’s rightful share. I will continue the legal fight,” he said.

“Though, Karnataka has got 13.4tmcft of water, it can effectively utilize only 5.5tmcft out of it. The 8tmcft of water allocated for power generation will automatically flow to Goa and Karnataka cannot make use of it for any other purpose. This is where the problem lies,” said Vikas Soppin of Mahadayi Horata Samithi.

Let me study verdict, says Deve Gowda

Former PM HD Deve Gowda on Wednesday said the state government cannot keep quiet if Goa files an appeal before the Supreme Court against the tribunal’s verdict. “The Goa government has already made it clear that it will file an appeal. Can Karnataka keep quiet if that happens?” he said when asked about whether he is in favour of filing an appeal. He said he would study the report and proceedings of the tribunal before making any suggestion to the state government.