Mahadayi tribunal order generates heat in LS

The interim order of the Mahadayi water tribunal generated much heat in the Lok Sabha today with Karnataka members seeking a solution to the water crisis in four districts of the state hit hard by the decision.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Prakash Hukkeri (Congress) spoke of the protests in Belgaum, Gadag, Bijapur and Dharwad districts in the wake of interim order.

The tribunal had directed the Karnataka government not to divert 7.56 TMC water from the Mhadei river to the Malaprabha basin.

The issue witnessed charges and countercharges from BJP and Congress members from the state and at one point, Congress members stormed the Well when the ruling party attempted to target the Congress chief.

BJP member Suresh Angadi attacked the Karnataka government for "not acting properly" on the issue, which was strongly protested by Congress members. Angadi was supported by his party colleagues from the state including B S Yeddyurappa.

Goa and Karnataka are currently battling out a dispute over the controversial Kalsa-Bhandura dam project across the waters of the Mhadei river at a central tribunal. Mhadei, also known as the Mandovi river, is known as a lifeline in the northern parts of the state. It originates in Karnataka and meets the Arabian Sea in Panaji in Goa.

Congress members demanded that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar spell out the government's position, but Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she would not allow anyone to speak. Ananth Kumar hails from Karnataka.