Rupesh Samant

Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Feb 29: Amidst severe criticism after the union government notified the award of Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal, Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that merely a notification of award does not prejudice the case of Goa before the top court.

Sawant also said that the state government has already filed a case before the Supreme Court seeking to stay the notification of the award, which will come up for hearing.

Union Jal Shakti Ministry on Thursday had notified the award of the tribunal allowing Karnataka to divert water from Mahadayi basin. The award has given the go-ahead for Karnataka’s Kalsa and Bhanduri projects.

In a press statement issued on Friday evening, Sawant said that Goa has already applied to a stay on the operation of the award, upon its publication.

The chief minister also pointed out to the interim order passed on April 17, 2014 by the tribunal which had said that till preparations and approvals of revised DPR and till all permissions in law are obtained, Karnataka cannot divert the water. He said this interim order is still in force, due to which Karnataka cannot go-ahead with the projects.

Sawant said that the Goa government is fully committed to the cause of protection of Mahadayi and will strongly defend the interest of the state before the Supreme Court.

“Given the above, mere publication of award in the gazette does not prejudice the state of Goa. I, therefore, appeal to the people of Goa not to get misled by any false propaganda,” the chief minister said.