Karnataka   

Kalasa-Banduri Nala project: talks to resolve dispute fail

Special Correspondent

Goa Government insists on referring the issue to a tribunal

NEW DELHI: A high-level meeting convened by Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz on Tuesday to resolve the imbroglio over the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project, which seeks to divert 7.5 tmcft of water from the Mahadayi to meet the drinking water needs of north Karnataka, failed after the Goa Government refused to give up its opposition, and demanded instead that the issue be referred to a tribunal for a solution. The meeting had been convened by Mr. Soz on the direction of the Prime Minister's Office and was attended by the Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra. The river passes through the three States.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said that there was still hope as the Union Water Resource Minister had assured that he would have a separate meeting with the Goa Chief Minister and come out with a decision in 15 days. "The Union Minister asked for 15 days to arrive at a decision. We have waited patiently for so long. We will wait patiently for 15 more days," he said

"All our neighbouring friendly States have been taking us [Karnataka] for granted, whether it is the dispute relating to the Cauvery, the Krishna or any other issue. But we are cooperating with all the States and also the Union Government. We will continue to do so. We will wait patiently for justice," Mr. Kumaraswamy said.

The project to divert water from the Mahadayi to north Karnataka was conceived in 2000. But the Goa Government objected to it soon after on the ground that it violated its rights over the river. The river, which takes its origin in Karnataka, runs through Goa and Maharashtra before emptying into the Arabian Sea.

The issue had been pending before the Union Water Resources Ministry since then. In April 2002, the Ministry gave an in-principle clearance from the angle of availability of water for diversion. But five months later, in September, the Ministry kept this clearance in abeyance after Goa objected to it again.

Ministry expansion

Asked about the much-awaited expansion of his Ministry, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the Ministry would be expanded after 15 days, after the end of the current session of the State legislature. At present, the Ministry has 10 members from the Janata Dal (Secular) and 12 from the Bharatiya Janata Party. The expansion may see the induction of six members each from either party.

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