KWDT open to have relook into Krishna apportionment: Nariman

New Delhi, Nov 7 (UNI) Karnataka which has been maintaining that the Scheme-A devised by previous Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) is a 'settled issue' today sought to make a subtle shift, when its senior counsel Fali S Nariman opined that the incumbent tribunal is open to have a relook into the entire water apportionment.

Concluding his week long arguments before the KWDT headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar, Mr Nariman said Proviso 5 (2) of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, which prevents review of any settled water dispute, is applicable only to a settled dispute. This proviso may not be applicable in Krishna because the dispute is not completely settled and all the water available has not been distributed.

The Tribunal adjudicators too seemed to be baffled at the suggestion of Mr Nariman. Tribunal member D K Sait remarked ''You have put us in spot. It is your privilege to transmit your troubles.'' Mr Nariman, an internationally acknowledged expert on river disputes said "this is one way of looking at it. I am not seeking review of Scheme-A", formulated by the KWDT-I. He said Andhra Pradesh too had objected any review of apportionment of 2060 tmc of water made under the Scheme-A by the KWDT-I.

Mr Nariman's submissions were followed by Karnataka Advocate General Uday Holla.

Prior to this Maharashtra counsel intervened to say that there were 'evidences' to show that there was excess water availability in Maharashtra and Karnataka over and above the figures arrived by KWDT-I under 75 per cent dependability.

UNI MCN SV PK KP1908