JD(U) criticises Centre's stand on KWDT

Bangalore, Oct 24(UNI) Karnataka Janata Dal (United) President Mallannagouda Nadagouda today criticised Centre's opposing extension to the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT), which was yet to submit its report on the sharing of Krishna waters involving Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

In a press release here, he demanded that Karnataka Government should convene an all-party meeting to discuss the issue and lodge a protest against Union Government's stand on the KWDT.

Alleging that Karantaka Government had failed to utilise its share of 734 TMC of Krishna water allocated by the first tribunal headed by Justice Bachawath, Dr Nadagouda said no serious efforts were made to utilise the Karnataka's share of Krishna water.

The second tribunal headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar was constituted in 2004 for adjudication of the dispute relating to sharing of unallocated water, he added.

Stating that the Centre's opposition to give extension to the new KWDT, headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar, would seriously affect the interests of the farmers of Krishna Valley in Karantaka, Dr Nadagouda said the state government should bring pressure on the Centre to change its stance on the issue.

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