Mahadayi: Goa files contempt petition against Karnataka

The Goa government on Saturday filed a petition before the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against Karnataka for allegedly diverting water from Mahadayi river to Malaprabha basin by violating the Tribunal's earlier order.

In the petition, Goa alleged that Karnataka intentionally diverted the Mahadayi basin water through Kalasa Nala to Malaprabha basin by preventing the natural flow towards Goa.

Apart from initiating contempt proceedings, Goa also demanded the arrest of officials concerned, from the Karnataka government and attachment of state government properties, including those at the Kalasa Banduri diversion site.

The neighbouring state also pleaded that direction should be given to Karnataka to remove all blockages to ensure free flow of Mahadayi basin water towards Goa.

Goa alleged that Karnataka violated the Tribunal order issued on April 17, 2014, which prevented Karnataka drawing or diverting water from Mahadayi till the pronouncement of its final order.

Though the MWDT issued final order on August 14, stating that all Mahadayi basin states, including Karnataka, should not take up any projects till the order was notified by the Union Ministry of Water Resources and their proposals gets clearance from all the statutory bodies. Till that time, the 2014 order will continue, the Tribunal has said.