Goa asks SC for Mandovi River Water Dispute Tribunal

Panaji, Aug 28 (UNI) Goa government has renewed its plea with the Supreme Court for constituting the Mandovi River Water Dispute Tribunal for resolving the inter-state river water dispute with Karnataka for good.

Stating this in a written reply on the issue in the state legislative assembly today, water resources minister Philip Neri Rodrigues said efforts were also underway to get a permanent injunction on the works being carried out in Karnataka for diverting the water, affecting Goa.

He regretted that the stand of the Centre on the suit filed against Karnataka in the apex court was not clear as on date with the Karnataka government not yet securing the clearance of the Centre for carrying out works on forest or non-forest land as required under the law.

The minister, however, admitted that Karnataka had complied with the April 30 interim orders of the supreme court for staying the works as observed by officials of the water resources department, who visited the Kalsa Banduri Diversion work site recently.

The Goa government had also urged the Centre to not to give clearance or extend financial assistance to Karnataka for the diversion project till the final adjudication of the dispute.

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