CM accuses Goa of nitpicking on Mahadayi

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday accused the Goa government of nitpicking on the Mahadayi river water sharing issue and maintained that Karnataka has not taken up any project illegally.

"Karnataka has not taken up any illegal project. Mahadayi river water disputes tribunal will decide whether there is any violation. The Goa Speaker cannot decide on this," he told reporters on seeking his reaction on the charges made by the Goa government that Karnataka has illegally taken up a project at Kanakumbi-Mahadayi watershed areas in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district.

"Goa's job is to nitpick. They (Goa leaders) are making it an issue when we seek our share of water (Mahadayi). About 200 tmcft of water is flowing into the sea. Goa is not utilising it. All that we are asking is 7.5 tmcft for drinking water purpose," he stated.

A team of Goa leaders not only surreptitiously visited the project site in Khanapur taluk but also projecting as if Karnataka has done something illegal, he said.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje demanded that the state government should explain why it did not take steps to prevent the Goa team from visiting Kanakumbi-Mahadayi watershed areas recently.