The state government will consult the law department to initiate contempt of court proceedings against UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for her reported statement on Mahadayi River diversion scheme, said Water Resources Minister K S Eshwarappa.

Addressing a news conference here on Saturday, he said Ms Sonia Gandhi’s statement that the Goa government would not allow the Mahadayi scheme amounted to contempt of court as the matter was pending before the Supreme Court.

It was unbecoming on the part of the Congress leader to make such a statement, when she was very well aware of the matter being pending before the Supreme Court.

The coalition government would take the issue to a logical end.

Mr Eshwarappa categorically stated that there was no question of stopping the work on Kalasa-Bandura Canal and it would continue in non-forest area in Khanapur taluk of Belgaum district.

The project would not face problems as it was meant to provide drinking water to the twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad. Karnataka wanted to utilise just 7.5 tmc ft of water out of the 200 tmc ft water that flows into sea without any utilisation.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had not kept up his promise of convincing the previous Goa government not to come in the way of execution of the project.

So far, the centre had not filed any affidavit in the apex court.

The Goa government remained absent at all Congress Working Committee meetings convened in New Delhi which showed its attitude towards the scheme.

Ms Gandhi had done great injustice to Karnataka by making such a statement for which she should tender an unconditional apology.

Her speech was nothing but ‘political’ keeping in view the assembly elections in Goa.
“The Congress Party will have to pay a heavy price for its leader’s speech which has hurt the sentiments of crores of Kannadigas,” said Mr Eshwarappa.

Speed up
The irrigation minister pointed out that the government would take necessary steps to hasten the Kalasa-Bandura works by calling tenders and survey for Bandura canal work.
There was no dearth of funds as Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister B S Yediyurappa had earmarked Rs 100 crore in the state Budget 2007-08. After finalisation of tenders, work on non-forestry area would begin.
“We are optimistic that the ministry concerned will give permission to work in the forest area,” added Mr Eshwarappa.

When reporters reminded him of former chief minister Manohar Parrikar of BJP opposing this project, Mr Eshwarappa said “let anybody oppose the scheme, there is no question of stopping the project.”

Leaders of all political parties of Karnataka are united on this issue. We are not bothered even if Mr Parrikar is re-elected and the BJP forms government in Goa. Our aim is to complete the project and provide drinking water to people of Hubli-Dharwad.”