Bengaluru: Karnataka, after suffering a setback in the Mahadayi river dispute case with Goa, seems to have decided to engage Oceanography experts along with forest and environment experts besides legal and technical experts to make its argument technically sound and foolproof.
Speaking to reporters after a series of meetings with officials concerned here, Water resources minister, M. B. Patil said, "The Tribunal while disposing of the Interim Application seeking an interim order to release seven tmc of water from the Mahadayi river to meet the urgent drinking water needs of four northern districts of the state, had touched upon several issues, which were not raised by the counsels of both contesting states, including Goa, therefore, we are planning to rope in experts from several fields in order to strengthen our arguments during the next legal recourse."
Referring to observations made by the Tribunal in its interim order on the issue of ecological equilibrium, Mr Patil claimed that such an observation not only closes the door for Karnataka to take up any drinking water project in future but also affects Goa adversally.
He contended that the Tribunal had misunderstood several issues raised by the state and added that "we are in the process of identifying such grey areas in consultation with the Legal and Technical team along with Oceanography experts."
The minister observed that the ruling on the interim petition had helped the state to read the mind of the tribunal and tackle it accordingly, which according to him was "a positive side" of this ruling.
Defending the state’s decision to file an interim application seeking release of seven tmc water from Mahadayi river, he said, "It was a collective decision of all parties and experts."
In response to questions, the minister said that the doors for an amicable settlement were still wide open, if the PM takes the initiative to bring the three CMs concerned to the table.
