From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Dec 24: The inter-State Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal team headed by former Supreme Court judge J M Panchal completes its five-day tour of northern Karnataka districts from December 18 to 22 and met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other ministers in Bangalore on Monday.
 
The Chief Minister, who briefed reporters after holding discussions with Justice Panchal and his team, said the State Government held consultations with the floor leaders of both houses of State legislature.
 
''We will be holding wider consultations to evolve a concrete strategy to defend the State’s share waters,” the chief minister said.

The 13-member Tribunal team headed by the former Supreme Court judge J M Panchal toured the northern parts of the State from December 18 to 22.

Siddaramaiah said a decision has been taken to conduct wide consultation involving local people, farmers, legal and irrigation experts to finalise the strategy to safeguard the interests of the state in sharing the water between two states.

The State Government has decided to construct the Kalasa–Banduri Nala project to the Mahadayi river (Mandovi), which has been opposed by the Goa government.

The project envisages diversion of 7.56 tmcft of water to the Malaprabha dam by constructing dams across the Kalasa and the Banduri nalas.

The Kalasa Banduri nal project also provides for diversion of canals to provide drinking water to towns and villages in Belgaum, Dharwad, Bagalkot and Gadag districts.

The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal would adjudicate the water dispute among the State of Goa and Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah said the State government would urge the Centre for providing environment clearance for the project.

The state government has commenced canal works in non-forest areas of the state.

Leader of the Opposition H D Kumaraswamy urged the Government to obtain environment clearance for construction of the project.

BJP floor leader in the Assembly and former chief minister Jagadish Shettar suggested filing an interim petition before the Supreme Court to safeguard the State’s interests.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council D V Sadananda Gowda, Water Resources Minister M B Patil and Minister for Information and Technology S R Patil attended the meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.