Special Correspondent
Panaji
Reacting to the recent developments related to Karnataka’s pending litigation before the Supreme Court on the Mhadei (Mahadayi) water dispute, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said Goa will continue its legal battle over the row and will not withdraw from
the case.
Recently Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi advised the Karnataka government to withdraw its pending Supreme Court cases concerning the dispute, arguing that the move could help surmount administrative hurdles and expedite clearances for the proposed Kalasa-Banduri project.
Speaking to mediapersons, Sawant said Goa’s legal team, along with the Advocate General, is firmly pursuing the matter before the apex court and the tribunal, expressing confidence about state’s victory in the dispute.
Declining to comment on the statements made by Joshi, the Chief Minister said the Mhadei dispute is a legal matter.
“The Supreme Court case and the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal case are all legal issues,” he maintained, pointing out, “We are not concerned about whom the Karnataka government has approached.”
Major and Medium Irrigation Minister of Karnataka Ramalinga Reddy had said his state was examining its legal options, including the possibility of withdrawing its pending Supreme Court cases so as to facilitate progress on the Kalasa-Banduri project.
