36.8 tmcft: Karnataka sets Mahadayi mark

Bengaluru: An all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah on Wednesday, unanimously decided to demand 36.8 tmcft water from Mahadayi river so that the state would be able to take up irrigation projects in the north-Karnataka region.

The meeting also endorsed the CM’s view that all riparian states should believe in a ‘Give and Take’ policy if the talks called by the Maharashtra CM in Mumbai were to succeed. It was decided that Karnataka’s priority was resolving the ongoing imbroglio through talks outside the purview of the Mahadayi Tribunal.

Speaking to reporters after the two-hour long meeting here, Mr Siddaramaiah declared that Karnataka will participate in the tripartite meeting (whenever it’s held) with a positive frame of mind as it wished to resolve the dispute through amicable discussions.

According to him, the state government will put forth its views already expressed in the original petition before the Mahadayi River Dispute Tribunal, in which Karnataka has demanded that it be allowed to divert 36.8 tmcft water to meet irrigation as well as drinking water needs.  

According to the CM, the meeting felt that Karnataka need not take a tough stance and should take steps to provide room for negotiations. “We will leave enough scope for a negotiated settlement, we will not adopt a rigid stand at all,” he contended.

Mr Siddaramaiah also said that the water resources department has convened a meeting of legal and technical experts on Thursday to chalk out strategies to be adopted during the tripartite meeting to resolve the ongoing crisis. “We need to prepare ourselves and present our case in the best possible manner,” he added.

Troubled waters lead to political slugfest
A political slugfest has begun between the opposition BJP and ruling Congress party with Goa state chief minister, Laxmikant Parsekar reportedly backing off at the last minute from participating in the crucial first meeting on Mahadayi that was scheduled on October 21 in Mumbai. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader on the condition of anonymity disclosed that Goa has the upper hand in the wake of the Tribunal quashing the interim appeal filed by Karnataka. “Moreover, Goa is going to face elections in a couple of months from now, therefore, no sane leader would go against popular sentiments. This is known to us and we are prepared for it too,” the source added.

Pontiffs warn of  intensified protest
Several pontiffs of North Karnataka have warned that the agitation over the Mahadayi river water would  intensify if the various parties did not try to solve the dispute at the meeting convened by the Maharashtra Chief Minister in Mumbai on October 21.

"Leaders of all parties should exhibit the same kind of  unity shown in the Cauvery water dispute at the meeting of Chief Ministers of all three states , which is being held for the first time in four decades. CM Siddaramaiah should go armed with all the  information on the state’s water requirements to the meeting and also invite Stockholm Water Prize winner and water expert, Dr Rajendra Singh to it," said Jaya Mrithyunjaya Swamiji of Kudal Sangam.

Meanwhile, the police on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against  251 farmers before the Navalgund Judicial First Magistrate Court for  the violence that broke out in Navalgund town over the Mahadayi water dispute in July.

Superintendent of police, Dharmendra Kumar Meena, said those involved in the rioting were charged with destroying public property and  assaulting a police officer and stopping him from performing his  duty.  The Dharwad District and Principal Sessions court had granted conditional bail to all those arrested during the rioting.