Mahadayi: Final arguments from today

The Karnataka government on Monday claimed that it has not violated the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal's order and requested it to dismiss the contempt petition filed by the neighbouring state Goa on the issue.

The tribunal is set to resume final arguments of the sharing of Mahadayi river water on Tuesday. Karnataka, in its affidavit, said that it never made an attempt to divert the Mahadayi water violating the tribunal's order.

Refuting Goa Water Resources Minister Vinod Palyekar's statement that Karnataka violated the Tribunal order, Karnataka said that Goa contempt petition should be dismissed since the allegations made by the neighbouring state are vague and baseless, both in fact and law.

In the affidavit, Karnataka also said that the tribunal, in its order April 17, 2014, has not restrained it from continuing with the construction of the ongoing works of the interconnecting canal --- a part of the Kalasa-Banduri project --- but only asked it to plug both the vents of the cut and cover section of the reach within Mahadayi basin of the interconnection canal with a brick masonry embankment.

Karnataka has also told the tribunal that Goa's minister and officials are visiting the project site without seeking its permission. The state also said that the charges made by Goa minister that the works are going on war footing basis are totally incorrect.

Seeking the dismissal of contempt petition filed by the Goa government, Karnataka said Goa filed this petition to create a prejudice to the case of Karnataka at the crucial stage of final hearing of the case.