Farmers in Karnataka condemn Centre’s decision to extend term of Mahadayi tribunal

This is the fifth time the term of the tribunal has been extended to submit an additional report. The tribunal had submitted a proposal to the Jal Shakti Ministry seeking one more year to submit a report, but it has been given six months, said officials in the Irrigation Department of Karnataka.

Farmers’ associations have condemned the Union Government for extending the term of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) by around six months, terming it unnecessary.

“It is time the tribunal gave its final award. The tribunal was set up 15 years ago. The people of northern Karnataka have been waiting endlessly. The Central government should ensure that the tribunal releases its decision immediately, and that it is implemented as soon as possible,” Kalasa Bandori agitation committee leader Vijay Kulkarni said.

Krishik Samaj leader Sidagouda Modagi said that farmers in Belagavi were engaged in a fight against the decision of the government of Karnataka to supply Ghataprabha river water to Dharwad industrial area from Hidkal dam. “We are hoping that the Mahadayi issue is resolved soon so that Hubballi-Dharwad and surrounding areas become self-sufficient in water, and do not have to depend on Belagavi for water supply,” he said.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader Prakash Naik said that farmers of northern Karnataka are tired of waiting for their share of Mahadayi water. “We keep hoping that the State Government takes up work on the Kalasa and Bandori Nala projects once the Centre approves our plans. But that does not seem to be happening. Now that the BJP is in power at the Centre, in Goa and also Maharashtra, it should work with the Karnataka government to ensure to end the dispute and find a solution acceptable to all,” he said.

The central committee of Kannada organisations has appealed to the government of Karnataka to appoint a senior minister to deal with all inter-State disputes over land and rivers.

“In the first Siddaramaiah government, H. K. Patil was appointed the minister in charge of such affairs. All Kannada organisations worked with him. We submitted all relevant documents regarding the border and river disputes to him. He coordinated with senior officers in Bengaluru and our legal team in New Delhi. We demand that he be appointed again,” said Ashok Chandaragi, committee convenor. He also demanded reconstitution of the State-level commission on border and river disputes.

The tribunal, constituted in 2010 to resolve the inter-State dispute and decide on the share of all riparian states of Goa- Maharashtra and Karnataka, has seen multiple extensions. The present extension, made on February 25, is said to be in the light of all three States filing objections to its earlier awards.