Farmers celebrate Mahadayi verdict, vow to continue stir for full share

HUBBALLI: It was Diwali and Holi in advance for people of parched districts of north Karnataka as they celebrated the order of Mahadayi River Water Dispute Tribunal which would ensure supply of adequate drinking water in the region but farmers vowed to continue the agitation for getting full share of water.  Across all these districts, farmers celebrating by distributing sweets, bursting crackers and soaked each other in colour as news about the Tribunal’s order made way to remote villages in the region. 

They were ecstatic that the Tribunal almost met their demands through the order. The agitating farmers, however, lamented the fact that all political parties had failed demonstrate their political will to find an  amicable solution to solve the dispute over sharing water of the river Mahadayi and completion of Kalasa Banduri canal project. Therefore, they said that it would be foolishness on part of political leaders if they tried to claim credit for a favourable verdict or blame on each other without resolving the issue. 

“The verdict of the tribunal, allowing Karnataka to divert Mahadayi water to Malaprabha reservoir has brought relief to the people of the region. But, we are expecting more allocation of water as we got only 13.5 tmcft for drinking water, power generation instead of 36.5 tmcft sought by us. Therefore, we will continue our agitation until we get full share of water,” Vijay Kulkarni, president, Kalasa Banduri Horata Samiti, said.