Goa is gearing up for a crucial legal battle in the Supreme Court over the contentious Mhadei water dispute, with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressing confidence in the state’s strong legal position. The state government, represented by the Advocate General and a dedicated legal panel, is actively reviewing the case, buoyed by the belief that Goa’s substantial evidence will lead to a favorable verdict.
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The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for Goa’s Special Leave Petition (SLP) on the Mhadei water diversion issue for November 29. This hearing is part of five ongoing cases at the Supreme Court concerning the Mhadei dispute. Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar, sharing the Chief Minister’s optimism, stated,
“Hopefully, it (SLP) will come up for hearing on either November 28 or 29. We are confident that the order would be in our favour.”
He emphasized the technical strength of Goa’s case and his firm belief in the merits of their argument.
In July, the Supreme Court admitted Goa’s special leave petition challenging the award issued by the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal. The Apex Court had previously directed the Centre to notify the tribunal’s award dated August 14, 2018, in an interim order.
Addressing Karnataka’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the Kalasa-Bhanduri water diversion project, Minister Shirodkar revealed plans to appoint an agency for a comprehensive investigation of the sites involved. The agency, to be selected within the next six months, could be either a state or central government entity. The study aims to submit a detailed report within the specified timeframe, ensuring a thorough examination of the matter.
Goa’s objections in the Supreme Court include the yield of the Mhadei basin calculated by the tribunal, as its plea for the exclusion of a catchment area of 509 sqkm from the coastal region was not considered. The state argued that due to tidal action, a part of the Mhadei in the coastal region is affected by salinity, and that some of the catchment drains directly into the sea without rainwater collecting in the river.
Additionally, Goa has filed a contempt petition against Karnataka for carrying out constructions for the diversion of water from the Mhadei. Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai has called for an urgent review meeting of the house committee on the Mhadei to discuss Goa’s preparation for the Supreme Court’s hearing.
“The honourable Supreme Court of India has listed the hearing on the Mhadei on November 29. This has come after a long delay,”
Sardesai said.
“I demand an urgent review meeting of the house committee on the Mhadei on Monday to discuss this most important issue that Goa and goemkars face today.” He added, “I urge the chairperson, water resources minister Subhash Shirodkar, to take the lead. As I have always maintained, this is a matter of life and death.”
