BENGALURU: THE state government has decided to file Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court challenging the Mahadayi River Water Tribunal’s rejection of Karnataka’s plea to use 7 tmcft of water for drinking water purposes.
“The SLP will be filed by this month-end,” said Water Resources Minister M B Patil. The minister and senior officers on Friday discussed the issue with a legal team in New Delhi that is arguing the state’s case in the dispute between Karnataka and Goa.
Sources said, during the meeting, they decided to approach the Apex Court and not file an appeal before the tribunal, which was also one of the options. Since the interim order and observations that the tribunal made in that order will have an implication on the final verdict, the legal experts advised the government to approach the SC, sources said.
After the interim verdict, people in Mumbai-Karnataka region, especially those in Gadag and Dharwad districts had launched massive protests and had set fire to many government offices and vehicles. Police action to contain farmers’ agitation came in for severe criticism as they were accused of using excess force against those who were not even part of the agitation.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had convened an all-party meeting to take leaders of all parties into confidence, while the state continue to explore legal and political options to resolve the inter-state water dispute.