Don't gazette notify Mahadayi tribunal verdict: Samithi

Members of Kalasa-Banduri Horata Samanvaya Samithi have urged the Union government not to gazette notify the Mahadayi Tribunal verdict as it meets injustice to the people of North Karnataka.

Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, Samithi Convenor Vikas Soppin claimed that as per the present verdict, Karnataka would not get even a single drop of water any time soon, as the tribunal has not said anything, in its 228 pages verdict, regarding the clearance of protection wall that has been constructed at Kankumbi.

The tribunal has also asked the governments to construct three dams across the Kalasa and Banduri streams, which was not in the original demands of the people of Karnataka, to lift and pump water towards Karnataka. However, getting environment clearance to these projects is difficult as one of the dams has to be constructed deep inside the Western Ghats forests.

He also said that Goa government has not gone for appeal against the verdict as it is in their favour, where as the Karnataka, which celebrated the ‘victory’ earlier, has realised that the State has been cheated. Vikas demanded the State government to release the details regarding its demand to Supreme Court and tribunal. “On what issues has the Karnataka government sought clarification, and what are directions that government wants the apex court to issue on environment impact,” he said.

Vikas said that Karnataka sustained this set back due to lack of co-ordination between technical (engineering team) and legal team of Karnataka. “Goa government check-mated us with our own data, which was presented by various departments,” he said and asked the State government to come clear on its stand on Mahadayi issue and not do injustice to the people of North Karnataka.