Law, Parliamentary Affairs, Tourism and Boundary Areas Incharge Minister H K Patil during the meeting with office bearers of Kannada organisations in Belagavi on Saturday.
Credit: DH Photo
Belagavi: Law, Parliamentary Affairs, Tourism and Boundary Areas Incharge Minister H K Patil said that state’s stand was implementation of Mahajan Commission report for resolving the Karnataka-Maharashtra boundary dispute or status quo. Maharashtra has filed suit in the Supreme Court regarding the dispute in the year 2004, but between the period from 2011 to 2025, it has never come up for hearing as its constitutional issue and decision on whether the apex court or Parliament will hear has to be taken.
Patil after assuming charge as boundary areas incharge minister visited the city on Saturday and held meeting with office bearers of Kannada organisations. He told reporters after the meeting that when it comes to boundary row, state was committed for the implementation of Mahajan Commission and its final. When the Mahajan Commission was formed, we had opposed it, but later in the federal interests had accepted it. Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala had stated that the report would be final for resolving the boundary dispute, we stood on the stand, but Maharashtra backed off.
There was no need for the people to fear or panic when leaders from Maharashtra rake up the boundary row. We have shown our strength and commitment when needed. Boundary dispute does not exist and people from all linguistic communities were leaving in harmony. Boundary dispute was not new and existed hundred years ago too, but during the Congress session held here in 1924 presided by Mahatma Gandhi, the programme had begun with song ‘Udayvagali Kannada Nadu’, he stated.
Regarding Mahadayi project being stalled due to objections by Goa, Patil said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his election speeches in the state had assured to implement the project and had even shown letters of Goa chief minister not having any objections. Wildlife Board too has given its clearance for the concerns raised by Goa. MPs from the state should pressurise Modi and Union Water Resources Minister Bhupendra Yadav to clear the project and should not meet injustice to the state. We want water for drinking purposes and as per the award of Mahadayi River Water Dispute Tribunal, Patil said.